Peter Reid and Mark Robson remember ‘Hand of God’ match in ‘84 ahead of England semi final

Tomorrow night’s World Cup semi-final is, of course, bringing up memories of Mexico 86 and the ‘hand of God’... Peter Reid, who played in that match, and Sir Bobby Robson’s son, Mark, have been reflecting on it.

They were speaking while supporting fundraising efforts to build the £30 million Sir Bobby Robson Institute, a world leading cancer drug trials centre at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Funded by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, construction of the institute recently began and, thanks to the generosity of donors, supporters and fundraisers, more than £26.5 million has already been raised to support the project.

Peter Reid, who was the manager of Sunderland for 8 years, said 

“I was a bit fortunate really because I got my place after Bryan Robson was injured and the late, great Ray Wilkins was sent off.

“It was a pleasure to play in one of the most iconic football matches of all time. Maradona’s first goal was what it was, but the second was magnificent. Then Gary Lineker pulled one back for us but it wasn’t enough.

“The gaffer was absolutely devastated afterwards. We all felt it really badly because to lose in that manner hurt. Bobby was great after the game though. He basically said to us all to go and let our hair down and, believe me, we all went and let our hair down. We needed it.

“I’m really proud to be doing some fundraising this year for Sir Bobby’s Foundation and I know it does great work. It’s an honour to still be part of his team 40 years after Mexico 86.”

Peter was joined by Mark Robson, son of former England gaffer Bobby Robson, who said

“It’s incredibly exciting to be playing Argentina again, and this time in a World Cup semi-final. Dad would have been thrilled to watch the game and for England to have opportunity to progress in the tournament.

 “I didn’t get the quarter-final in ’86 because I was just out of university but dad’s brothers Ron and Tom went out for it. I was sharing a house with my brothers in Putney and I don’t remember a lot of the details of the day but I remember the match itself.

 “In the build up to the quarter final we were all very nervous, probably anxious would be a better description.

 “It had been a roller coaster of emotions in the group games. It was massive for the whole country and everyone was intensely focused on it, but the pressure of knowing our dad was at the heart of it all was immense.

 “I clearly remember how stressed I was after the first group games when we lost to Portugal and drew with Morocco. Ray Wilkins had been sent off and Bryan Robson was injured. It was a different time, so we weren’t in touch with dad over mobile phones but I can imagine how tough that must have all been for him and the squad.

 “Then things turned around and we had this hugely high-pressure game against Argentina. The whole country was desperate to win but watching England on television and seeing my dad on the touchline made the pressure almost unbearable for us.

 “I remember watching the ‘hand of God’ moment with great clarity. He clearly punched the ball in the net and we were waiting for the ref’s whistle to blow. Then I saw Maradona running to the corner flag and celebrating and I was still waiting for the whistle or the linesman’s flag. I just couldn’t believe it when the goal stood.

 “I know dad was deeply upset by the injustice of it, although he was careful with his words afterwards. I think he said football had been cheated, and it’s well known he corrected Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ description to the ‘hand of a rascal.’

 “That ‘86 team had given so much and it was bitter way to go behind, but here we are, 40 years later and still reflecting on that moment, that game and that goal. That’s the power of football and it’s enabling us to do keep doing great things today through dad’s cancer foundation.

 “We’re currently building a £30m cancer drug research hub and the fundraising for it is being supported by players from that ’86 squad. In fact, Peter Reid, who played a key role for dad in Mexico, is planning some special fundraising for us this year and will be visiting the site of the Sir Bobby Robson Institute in Newcastle soon.

 “I know my dad would be immensely humbled that his England players are still supporting him now. In fact, he’d be staggered and really grateful for their support. 

“I think he’d say, well, that’s why I picked them for my team in the first place, because they are men with that kind of commitment and character. Certainly, we’re extremely proud to have support from the people dad worked with in football. It means a lot to us all.”

Support is now crucial to raise the final funds to complete and fully equip the institute by 2027.

For more information about the Sir Bobby Robson Institute, please visit: www.sirbobbysgreatestteam.co.uk.