Gazza’s tearful farewell to Bobby Robson

Matthew Beard, Olympics Editor
21 Sep 2009

Some of the greatest names in football paid warm tribute to Sir Bobby Robson at a memorial service for the former England manager.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, England boss Fabio Capello, Sir Bobby Charlton and Terry Venables were among a 1,000-strong congregation at the Durham cathedral.

Former England players attending the service — held seven weeks after Sir Bobby died of cancer aged 76 — included Gary Lineker, who gave a tribute, Alan Shearer, and Sir Bobby's troubled protege Paul Gascoigne.

The former player famously cried during the 1990 World in Italy because a booking meant he would have missed the final if England got through. Today the tears flowed again from Gascoigne for the man who always stood by him.

Gallery: More pictures from Sir Bobby Robson's memorial service

Geordie showbusiness duo Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly also paid their respects to Sir Bobby, who was a legendary figure in his native North East. Sir Alex Ferguson led the tributes, saying Sir Bobby never forgot his roots despite his success. “It's a great talent that, not to change, to be the same person,” he said.

Speaking about Sir Bobby's fight against cancer, he added: “He fought his disease with incredible courage and resilience and showed you what his background was.”

Lineker, who played in Sir Bobby's Italia 90 side, praised his “hugely supportive and fiercely loyal” former coach, telling the congregation: “Sir Bobby Robson, we will miss you but we will never, ever forget you.”

The service, broadcast live on television, was beamed to the grounds of Ipswich Town and Newcastle United, both of which Sir Bobby managed.

He fought against cancer five times and raised £500,000 in just an eight-week period. In February, he officially opened a cancer trials centre in Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.