Thousands pay homage to Sir Bobby Robson

Aug 1 2010 by Laura Caroe, Sunday Sun

THEY came in their thousands to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Robson on the first anniversary of his death.

It was an emotional afternoon as a match kicked off between two of the football hero’s former clubs, Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven, who drew 2-2 in a pre-season friendly at St James’ Park.

And after the masses made their way to the stadium, supporters observed a minute’s applause for one of football’s true legends.

Emotions were running high as scores of fans spoke of their love and respect of the late soccer great.

The former Newcastle, England and Ipswich manager passed away on July 31 last year surrounded by his family, after finally succumbing to the cancer he bravely fought five times.

As he battled on for the last 18 months of his life, Sir Bobby, who grew up at Langley Park near Durham, devoted his time to raising funds to support those pioneering the fight against the devastating disease4.

In March 2008 he created The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to focus on the early detection and treatment of cancer and the clinical trials of new drugs that will eventually beat it.

Stan Valckx, captain of PSV during Sir Bobby’s time at the club in the 1990s presented current Toon manager Chris Hughton with his shirt from the 1990/91 season, the year Sir Bobby led Eindhoven to the first of two successive Eredivisie titles.

Laurence McDermott, who has been supporting the Toon army for 64 years, went to the game with his nephew Graeme Hall, 24.

The 70-year-old, from Consett, County Durham, said: “It was a very special day for Sir Bobby Robson. He was a good guy and an amazing manager. It is brilliant the work he had done and how it has continued in his name.

“The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is fantastic, you never know when you might need treatment for cancer. It is a very emotive subject anyway but feelings were running high yesterday.

“The atmosphere was amazing, hundreds of people together to pay tribute to a man who did so much for the North East.”

Paul Robson, from Gosforth, Newcastle, said it was a fitting occasion to remember Sir Bobby.

The 52-year-old managing director said: “Bobby Robson was a fantastic fellow and not just for Newcastle. Everyone across the world holds him in high regard. It was a fantastic opportunity to pay tribute to a great man.

“He is sorely missed but his legacy lives on through his charity which is going from strength to strength. It was a very special day.”

Page 2: Special memories of ‘a humble man’