Bobby Campbell sadly passed away earlier this month. He was born in Liverpool on 23rd April 1937 and was one of 12 children.
He played for the Reds 24 times between 1958 and 1961. Bobby then joined Wigan in the summer and later played for Portsmouth and Aldershot.
Following his retirement through injury, he returned to Pompey to coach before moving to the Rangers to join up with manager Gordon Jago. The R’s were promoted to the First Division in 1973 but in September he moved on to Highbury to assist Bertie Mee.
In 1976 he was appointed Fulham’s chief coach and in December Bobby replaced Alec Stock, which apparently caused some internal discontent at the time as Alan Mullery was expected to get the job.
Following relegation to the Third Division in 1980 and coupled with a poor start to the new season, Bobby was sacked. His next post was assistant manager at Aldershot but after 18 months he moved to Portsmouth.
He lost his job in May 1984 and went on to be assistant manager at Arsenal and I remember him returning briefly to the Rangers at some point to coach the reserves.
Kuwait was his next destination where he took the reins at Al Qadsia. On his return to England he assisted John Hollins at Chelsea. When Hollins was sacked, Bobby became the caretaker manager.
Despite relegation, he later had some success there and in 1991 he became Ken Bates’ p.a. He returned to Kuwait in 1993.
Rest in Peace.
Steve Russell
A really top coach. RIP.