“Young Keegan looks something special doesn’t he,” he beamed in front of the St James’ Park press pack – as a club media officer tugged at his shoulder and quietly pointed out that he meant to say Kieron Dyer.
Laughs followed all round as Robson deflected his faux pas by considering the merits of both players.
It remains a fond memory from one of the few occasions I was lucky enough to meet the late former England manager in person.
Robson had just watched his Newcastle side edge past City 4-3 in a Worthington Cup thriller.
On a topsy-turvy night, the Bantams had clawed back from three goals down with a rare strike from Ian Nolan and an even rarer Ashley Ward double – his first since a much-touted £1.5 million arrival on the eve of the club’s doomed second Premier League campaign.
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There were few highlights from season two after Chelsea but that fightback in the north-east in my first month working at the T&A briefly provided one.
Some fella called Shearer had got two for Newcastle but it needed debutant defender Steven Caldwell to spare their blushes with the winner.
Geoffrey Richmond would end the night being rushed to a local hospital after suffering a bad turn.
Robson generously acknowledged opposite number Chris Hutchings for ditching front pair Stan Collymore and Benito Carbone at half-time for Ward and Robbie Blake.
“He had nothing to lose and it worked very well - at one stage I thought we were playing Manchester United.
"I hope the chairman stays with him because he does a good job.”
Richmond would recover quickly – and sack Hutchings five days later.
Six weeks on, City were beaten again at St James’, a 2-1 loss ending a three-game unbeaten run which had offered slight hope under new boss Jim Jefferies.
Bobby Robson was Newcastle's manager when City last played themBobby Robson was Newcastle's manager when City last played them (Image: PA)
That clearly didn’t pan out – and the Bantams have not been back to Newcastle since.
The sides met once more later that season at Valley Parade where City roared into a two-goal lead inside nine minutes.
Ward again and a Blake penalty suggested a defiant win as they headed for the relegation trapdoor – until Newcastle, who included recently-signed £2 million Andy O’Brien, fought back to grab a point.
It would be another three years before Bobby Pointon was born; Andy Cook was a 10-year-old Toon fanatic who worshipped Shearer.
And from then on, games between the two clubs have been consigned to the history books. Until now.
Last night’s convoluted Carabao Cup draw threw up a much-missed return to the Geordie footballing hotbed at the same stage as that breathless clash a quarter of a century ago.
It is a mouth-watering prospect for the present crop of City players to come up against the holders on one of the most iconic stages. We can give forgive being given yet another away draw.
And what must the number nine be thinking at the chance to tread the same hallowed turf as the striker he idolised?
Cook’s comeback, which is getting closer and closer, will no doubt accelerate just that little bit more with the thought of facing his “other” club in his personal theatre of dreams a few weeks from now.
It’s only a cup, says the song, but what a game to look forward to. Two Championship scalps already under their belt, the Bantams will head up the A1 with nothing to lose.
In the words of Keegan, not Dyer, you’ve got to love it, absolutely love it.