Football players and supporters pay respects to Sir Bobby Robson today
21st September, 2009
Today will see thousands of football fans and players alike pay their respects to Sir Bobby Robson today. The emotional service is taking place at Durham Cathedral and is going to be played on screens at St James Park so that the public can pay their respects too. The stadium which is home to his favourite Newcastle United will be filled with devoted supporters. In addition, images of the great man will also be shown in Ipswich in Suffolk where he gained a great deal of satisfaction for the success he provided the club with whilst he was a manager there.
Sir Bobby spent a long time battling cancer and beat it 5 times before finally losing to it in July and passed away at his home, aged 76. Amongst guests at the memorial, cancer specialist Dr Ruth Plummer will speak about his decision and effects of setting up the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation which has raised £1.8million for researchers to help on the quest of detecting cancer early enough to beat it.
1,500 guests have been invited, including footballers of past and present as well as managers from all leagues who have been guided and followed Sir Bobby’s advice. Amongst the guests are the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Lineker, Fabio Capello and Pep Guardiola who will be attending with a performance from Katherine Jenkins at the service.
Gary Lineker will be making an extra contribution to the service with a few words. Lineker has praised Sir Bobby countless times and has on several occasions admitted that it is down to his lead that he became England’s second highest goalscorer. Lineker has explained, "I will be nervous because I won't want to let him or his family down. I could probably do with one of his famous pep talks beforehand."
Alongside Lineker, his best man Tom Wilson will also say a few words about Sir Bobby, as a friend and a team mate praising his football talent. Sir Alex Ferguson will also say his words, allowing the supporters to reminisce on his success over the years and what he contributed to the football world he will be greatly missed.
Sir Bobby was a true gentleman to British sport and his love for the game was passionate and he was determined to never let go of it. The memorial will bring together loved ones as well as those fans that have followed him from the start of his career so that they can say goodbye to a fantastic footballer and a name that will be remembered forever in football history.
By Gina
