The FA is set to name a National Football Day later this year in honour of legendary Blues boss Sir Bobby Robson. Saturday 10th August at the start of the 2013/14 season will be known as Sir Bobby Robson Day as part of the FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

The tribute, which will be formally announced today, is to honour the legendary former Town manager’s popularity and commitment to the game.

The day will promote grassroots football and is expected to involve more than 150 clubs at various levels.

Robson’s wife Lady Elsie says Sir Bobby would be delighted with the honour: "I’m thrilled that the FA is involving my family.

"Bob launched his cancer charity [the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation] in 2008 and right from the start the FA has been on hand to support us.

"He’d have loved this, and I think it’s very fitting as it will be a day celebrating and encouraging grassroots football.

"Bob never lost his own boyish enthusiasm for the game no matter what was happening off the field."

Robson, who died after a long battle with cancer in July 2009, left Portman Road to manage England in 1982, taking the national side to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1990.

Lady Elsie added: "Bob just didn’t feel he could turn his country down when he was approached.

"For him, it was a huge honour to be asked and he never took the role for granted. Every game and every result meant the world to him and I think it’s that passion and commitment which people remember so fondly now. He was at the helm of the national side for eight years — and they were eight very challenging years.

"He missed the week-in week-out of club football, the kind of adrenalin that comes with that, but it really was the pinnacle of his career."

Photo: Action Images

BillBlue added 09:51 - Jan 16 A lovely idea. God bless you Bobby.
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blueinblue added 09:52 - Jan 16 Nice touch by the FA. Only slightly connected I know, but does anyone else think ITFC showed a lack of vision when they named the old North Stand the SBR Stand when it is in Sir Alf Ramsey Way, then later named the South Stand after Sir Alf, when it already housed the Sir Bobby Robson Suite?!
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leroygibbs added 10:03 - Jan 16 God bless you Sir Bobby, still sorely missed, and an absolute legend.
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Johnhoz added 10:08 - Jan 16 This day needs to be a home fixture so we can celebrate it properly. Away to Blackpool or similar just wouldn't be right. PR should be sold out for this............
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bontcho added 10:15 - Jan 16 Well done to the FA. If this is pre season we should play Sporting, Newcastle or Barca.
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yesjohn99 added 10:17 - Jan 16 Bontcho.......sod Newcastle, they sacked him remember. Disrepectful.
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Jimmyonthewing added 10:19 - Jan 16 An out and out gentleman in a world in which old fashioned chivalry is a rare thing. Sir Bobby's Town teams still leave great football memories from all those years ago when we were a side to be feared by all
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petermorris added 10:28 - Jan 16 Well done FA. yesjohn agree.
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howdonblue added 10:34 - Jan 16 thanks for the memories sir bob ... So proud to say I was there... feel sorry for modern town fans as they will never witness what we did back then. legend is a word used all to easily these days . Sir bob was a real one
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TotalBlue added 10:50 - Jan 16 yesjohn99. Newcastle would be the perfect match. Yes he was sacked which yes was disgusting BUT Newcastle were his team man and boy so would be a fitting Match...
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rolandehowey added 10:59 - Jan 16 Bobby was great, but if there is a Bobby Robson day; surely there must be an Alf Ramsey day. I know that Alf had his problems with the FA, but surely they need to give some respect now for his achievements for England, and the town as a club, should be complaining at the FA's door, not be thankful for the Bobby tribute.
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WickedBlue added 11:13 - Jan 16 Outstanding idea FA and I don't credit you with much. How about a preseason round Robin tournament with all the teams Sir Bobby managed playing? All monies going to his charities?
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yesjohn99 added 11:23 - Jan 16 Agree with the fact Newcastle was his team (we were his baby!), but that club just doesn't deserve being involved after sacking a man who guided them to champions league football two years on the spin after rescuing them from relegation. The club from top to bottom has no class, the fans included. Remember only 5000 stayed in the ground for a lap of honour after sir bobby had guided them to third place. No place for them at Portman road for me.

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BillBlue added 11:43 - Jan 16 Bontcho - not Sporting either. They also sacked him after making them the Champions of Portugal and runners up in Europe! I actually bumped into Bobby the next day and he had tears in his eyes when he was telling me about it, he was truly hurt as he was when Newcastle sacked him after saving them from relegation and taking them up to fourth. Just forget these other clubs, Bobby is ours and always will be. COYB

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baldman added 12:02 - Jan 16 If anyone deserves it its you sir bobby not just what you done at Ipswich but football in general well done fa (for once) and rip so missed
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Tufty added 12:05 - Jan 16 Universally loved and respected. Gave us the greatest time. Cant wait for Sir Bobby day.
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SouperJim added 12:16 - Jan 16 The only thing which is disgusting is the way some of you try to claim club ownership of SBR with this anti-newcastle stuff. I for one find it disrespectful to Sir Bobby's memory. This kind of misguided club "allegiance" only serves to embitter his remembrance.
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Michael11 added 12:29 - Jan 16 Lovely gesture by the FA. Probably one of the most loved and respected people in football whoever you support! RIP Bobby
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Tufty added 12:30 - Jan 16 How about town v barca
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algarvefan added 12:36 - Jan 16 He was just the most wonderful person, an Ipswich and England Legend and we as Ipswich supporters should be very proud of this honour for Sir Bobby. Football has never been quite the same since his passing for me
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nitroblue1970 added 12:48 - Jan 16 I think a match against PSV would be most fitting, no one has mentioned them, he guided them to consecutive titles after all, they gave Bob the opportunity to manage at club level again, as did Ipswich after Bobby was sacked by Fulham. There is also the obvious Dutch connection.....
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Edinburgh_Blue added 12:56 - Jan 16 @SouperJim. Couldn't agree more. My missus bought us a hospitality package at St James' Park for my 40th birthday two years ago. A great day out and a 2-2 draw. The only downside was a drunk middle aged woman, also in our section, slurring and shouting the words "We never sacked Bobby Robson" every couple of minutes. Just plain ugly - no class. Her husband had to drag her away just after half-time.

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DiamondGezzer added 13:42 - Jan 16 Those were indeed wonderful times, sadly that was then and this is now. Would be great if the times ahead under Mick and Terry could be as successfull.
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JWM added 14:38 - Jan 16 I love Bobby and I will always have a deep affection for him and all he achieved with us and in the game as a whole. I'm not being disrespectful when I ask the quaestion...Why can't the FA do the same thing for Sir Alf Ramsey? He deserves every bit of the recognition that Sir Bobby gets from the FA and yet he seems to have been forgotten! They are both Ipswich and England legends and both should be honoured in my humble opinion.

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ArnieMsBigToe added 14:38 - Jan 16 How about a Roy Keane day? April 1st or Feb 30th. . .
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