Legendary Town manager Sir Bobby Robson has admitted for the first time that cancer will kill him "sooner rather than laterâ€Â. The 75-year-old has lung cancer, the fifth time he has suffered with the disease.
Robson said: "I have accepted what they have told me and I am determined to make the most of what time I have left.
"I have been fortunate to survive this long. It is thanks to my doctors and their dedication.
"My condition is described as static and has not altered since my last bout of chemotherapy.
"They have arrested the growth of the tumours on my lungs and I have my next scan shortly.
"I am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go some time and I have enjoyed every minute.â€Â
Last year Robson started the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which has so far raised £500,000 to help in cancer research.
Robson's current battle with cancer is his fifth. In 1992 he overcame bowel cancer then and a mouth cancer three years later. In May 2006 he underwent surgery when a tumour was found on his lung after a skiing accident. Three months later Robson had surgery to remove a brain tumour which was revealed by tests after the former England boss was taken ill at the Blues' opening game of the 2006/07 season with Crystal Palace.