Robson's dismissal followed publication of his off the record observation of his disappointment that only 5,000 fans stayed to see the traditional lap of honour made by the players at St James' Park at the end of the previous season.
Robsonovo odvolanie prišlo potom, čo boli zverejnené jeho smutné pozorovania, že iba 5000 fanúšikov ostalo na konci sezóny na štadióne St.