Town chief executive Simon Clegg has sent the club's deepest sympathies to the family of Sir Bobby Robson after the legendary Blues manager died earlier today. Ex-Town boss George Burley has also added his tribute to his former manager, while Bryan Gunn has paid his respects on behalf of Norwich City.

Clegg told the club site: "This is a very sad day for Ipswich Town Football Club and the world of football in general.

"Sir Bobby was held in the highest esteem within the local community and in particular by generations of supporters of this football club and will be greatly missed by all.

"On behalf of Ipswich Town, I would like to send our deepest sympathies to Sir Bobby's family."

The club have also released a tribute video which can be found on the right of the official site's homepage.

Burley, a member of Robson's 1978 FA Cup-winning side, said: "Not only did he manage my career from the age of 15 when I signed for him at Ipswich, he also had a huge influence on my life.

"He brought me up as a person and I have always considered him to be a second father. Bobby was always there to offer me encouragement and to listen to any troubles or concerns that I might have had. That was the kind of man he was.

"He always wanted to help out his players and always looked out for the people that were close to him.

"I was with him and his wife Elsie and his three boys in Portugal just a few weeks ago. While it was sad to see that his health was failing, it was great to see him and to see the huge amount of affection that everyone has for him.

"As a football manager, he is one of the greatest of all time. He didn't just taste success here in Britain, he won trophies right across Europe. Quite simply, his record was phenomenal.

"Wherever he went, he took with him a passion and enthusiasm for the game and was renowned the world over as a wonderful ambassador for football.

"He was a huge inspiration to me as a player and he continued to be a mentor to me throughout my managerial career.

"Football has lost a legend and I have lost the man to whom I owe my career."

Norwich City boss Bryan Gunn paid tribute on behalf of Town's East Anglian rivals: "I'm very sad to hear the news. Over the last two summers, I've played in Sir Bobby's charity golf day in Portugal. I was only with him just at the start of the month and, although he was in a wheelchair, his spirits were high. It's very sad news and a very sad moment for football in general.

"He's been a great ambassador for the game, and someone who has fought probably five bouts of cancer over the years and now has finally succumbed to it. He leaves a great legacy for football and football managers, and it's an extremely sad day for the game.

"I go back to 1981 when I came down to Portman Road with Aberdeen and we came up against Sir Bobby in the UEFA Cup. Then obviously seeing him build up the great Ipswich teams of that era, the players he's introduced to the game and the football style he played.

"Certainly my memories of him are excellent, not just his football career but also his charity work - his cancer charity in the UK and also helping homeless children in Portugal.

"The knowledge of the game that the top managers have - not only their own league or the country they're playing in but their vast knowledge of football and the respect they have from other football people - that's something Bobby's built up over the years and it's a very sad loss.

"I'm sure there'll be a national tribute of some sorts, I know Ipswich have a statue outside their stadium but perhaps there will be something held at Wembley because of the impact he's had on British football.

"I know Michael and Delia were very close friends of Bobby's, he came down to do an evening at Carrow Road. The rivalry between Norwich and Ipswich goes out the window and I'm sure the Norwich fans will join me in saying it's a very sad time. Having just seen Bobby at the beginning of this month, it's a bit of a shock.

"It will be a sad day for Ipswich Town fans, Fulham, Newcastle and all the different clubs he's worked with. He has touched many, many people in the world of football and I'm very proud to have met the man. Our thoughts go out to his widow Elsie and the rest of the family."

Photo: Action Images

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