Reid and Bobby - The Connection

1985 - England debut

England boss Bobby Robson hands Peter Reid his first international cap. Having just helped Everton win the league, Reid comes on as a sub in the 1-0 defeat in Mexico.

1986 - World Cup

England's disastrous start to the Mexico World Cup reaches its lowest point when they fail to score in their opening two games and lose Bryan Robson (injury) and Ray Wilkins (suspended). Robson turns to Peter Reid to fill the midfield breach. In his first game, England beat Poland 3-0 and they go onto reach the quarter-finals, although Reid is beaten for pace by Diego Maradona for his second goal in Argentina's 2-1 win.

2000 - North-east rivals

With Bobby Robson back after a successful managerial career abroad, he comes up against Reid in their first Tyne-Wear derby. Robson's Newcastle take a 2-0 lead at the Stadium of Light but Reid has the last laught as a late Kevin Phillips equaliser gives his side a 2-2 draw.

2002 - Bye, bye Reidy... and hello again. Sunderland's loss in the north-east derby at St James' Reid lost his job last year. Robson's Newcastle won 2-0 and Reid admitted he didn't know why his players weren't motivated. He was dismissed a fortnight later but little did Robson know he would start the 2003/04 season against his old adversary - who has since moved onto Leeds.

Sir Bobby Robson and Peter Reid are close friends, they like a laugh, are hugely passionate about football and when they are in a room together it is hard for anyone else to get a word in.

Robson picked Reid 13 times for England. During Bryan Robson's absences through injury, Robson needed a midfield warrior, someone who could cajole the players around him and Reid fitted the bill perfectly.

Reid had a fantastic World Cup in 1986 for Robson although the good times have largely been overshadowed, as he himself admits.

"The pictures of Maradona running away from me on the way for his second goal against us have haunted me," he admits.

"I think I had a pretty good career but the first thing I am always asked is: 'Why did you let Maradona get away from you like that?' I wouldn't mind but it wasn't as if any of the other England players could catch him either!"

Robson was delighted when Reid established himself as a top-class manager but he has unwittingly been the reason behind his eventual demise at Sunderland. When Robson took over at Newcastle in 1999, Reid and Sunderland were top dogs in the north-east.

But Robson changed all that. Within three years, Newcastle were in the Champions League and Sunderland were fighting relegation. When goals from Craig Bellamy and Alan Shearer gave Newcastle a 2-0 win at St James' Park last season, Reid was a goner.

Robson will be delighted Reid is back in business now with Leeds - but it won't stop him striving for a similar result on Sunday.

by Joe Bernstein

Leeds United v Newcastle United, Premiership, Sunday August 17 at Elland Road