Post by cammy on Jul 31, 2009 13:11:10 GMT 1
Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who had fought a long-running battle against cancer, has died at the age of 76.
Robson had been battling various forms of cancer for several years and was diagnosed with inoperable tumours in both lungs last year, the fifth time he had contracted the disease.
He died at his home early on Friday morning.
A statement issued on behalf of his family said: "It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.
"He died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.
"Sir Bobby's funeral will be private and for family members only.
"A thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby's life will be held at a later date for his many friends and colleagues.
"Lady Robson and the family would very much appreciate it if their privacy could be respected at this difficult time.''
The gates at St James' Park will be open until 5pm on Friday for fans to leave tributes, while a book of remembrance will be opened at Ipswich Town's Portman Road.
Robson played for Fulham and West Brom during the 1950s and 1960s, and later went on to manage Fulham, Ipswich, PSV, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona and the club he supported as a boy, Newcastle United.
After ending a playing career that earned him 20 England caps, Robson moved into management and won the UEFA Cup in 1981 while in charge of Ipswich Town. A year later he became England manager.
After leading England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 he returned to club management, including spells in charge of PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Porto and his Newcastle.
On Sunday, a wheelchair-bound Robson was at St James' Park for a charity match in his honour which attracted a crowd of more than 30,000 fans.
Paul Gascoigne, who played under Robson for England, paid tribute to his former mentor following that match, saying: "Sir Bobby is a legend over the world. He was the one who gave me my first run-out for the England team.
"When I saw him it was quite heartbreaking to see him that way but he is battling away and keeping on top of it, which is great. He's battling cancer for the fifth time. It takes a man to beat it once but he's doing it for a fifth time. That's the man he is, he won't give in."
Robson had been battling various forms of cancer for several years and was diagnosed with inoperable tumours in both lungs last year, the fifth time he had contracted the disease.
He died at his home early on Friday morning.
A statement issued on behalf of his family said: "It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.
"He died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.
"Sir Bobby's funeral will be private and for family members only.
"A thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby's life will be held at a later date for his many friends and colleagues.
"Lady Robson and the family would very much appreciate it if their privacy could be respected at this difficult time.''
The gates at St James' Park will be open until 5pm on Friday for fans to leave tributes, while a book of remembrance will be opened at Ipswich Town's Portman Road.
Robson played for Fulham and West Brom during the 1950s and 1960s, and later went on to manage Fulham, Ipswich, PSV, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona and the club he supported as a boy, Newcastle United.
After ending a playing career that earned him 20 England caps, Robson moved into management and won the UEFA Cup in 1981 while in charge of Ipswich Town. A year later he became England manager.
After leading England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 he returned to club management, including spells in charge of PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Porto and his Newcastle.
On Sunday, a wheelchair-bound Robson was at St James' Park for a charity match in his honour which attracted a crowd of more than 30,000 fans.
Paul Gascoigne, who played under Robson for England, paid tribute to his former mentor following that match, saying: "Sir Bobby is a legend over the world. He was the one who gave me my first run-out for the England team.
"When I saw him it was quite heartbreaking to see him that way but he is battling away and keeping on top of it, which is great. He's battling cancer for the fifth time. It takes a man to beat it once but he's doing it for a fifth time. That's the man he is, he won't give in."