Sir Bobby honoured at star-studded memorial
STARS flocked to Durham cathedral yesterday for a moving tribute to former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who died in July after a battle with cancer.
Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne, key figures in Robson’s 1990 World Cup squad, were joined at the service by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and current England head coach Fabio Capello.
Lineker called Robson “hugely supportive and fiercely loyal”, adding: “Sir Bobby Robson, we will miss you but we will never, ever forget you.”
Robson, who managed Ipswich, Barcelona and Newcastle, died aged 76 at his home in nearby Langley Park. The service was broadcast on television and shown live at both Portman Road and St James’ Park.
Ferguson said: “He always knew his roots. Fantastic that he would do that, not to change his entire life. It’s a great talent that, not to change, to be the same person.”
Everton manager David Moyes said “all Premier League managers look up to Sir Bobby”, while former Newcastle and England forward Peter Beardsley called him “one of the greatest football men of all time”.