Town have confirmed that the North Stand will become known as the Sir Bobby Robson Stand in tribute to the legendary Blues boss. The stand is expected to be officially be re-christened at the game against Newcastle United on September 26th when Robson’s wife Lady Elsie and their sons will be in attendance.

Chief executive Simon Clegg says the stand renaming is something which has been overwhelmingly backed by supporters: "We've considered all of the suggestions that we have received from many different sources for another permanent memorial at Portman Road to the greatest manager this club has had, but above all the thoughts of the fans.

"The overwhelming majority wanted the Sir Bobby Robson Stand and with the North Stand being seen as the heart of the club and of the fanbase, the fans feel this is the right stand to be renamed.

"We believe that this is the right decision for the club and we will now look to move those plans forward and have submitted a planning application to Ipswich Borough Council with a view of the unveiling ceremony taking place on September 26th before the Championship match against Newcastle United here at Portman Road.

"We have been in close communication with Lady Elsie, over a range of issues, but she was delighted to hear that we wanted to honour Sir Bobby in this particular way. She is hugely supportive and she is very hopeful that both she and a number of her family members will be here to see the Stand opened against Newcastle, a club that was obviously also very close to Sir Bobby's heart.

"I'd like to add that through the correspondence and exchanges that we have had, she has asked me to pass on her heartfelt thanks to all of the supporters for the way that they have recognised the passing of Sir Bobby, and to particularly thank those fans who have made a financial contribution to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

"It's the club's intention that the shirts and memorabilia around Sir Bobby's statue will be taken down after tonight's match with Crystal Palace and will then be stored until the visit of Newcastle when they will be redisplayed on the railings alongside the statue in Portman Road.

"Following further discussions with Sir Bobby's family, the shirts will then be washed and transported with the scarves and shirts that have been displayed at St James' Park to Africa to be used by underprivileged young people. Like us, Lady Elsie believes that Sir Bobby would be very happy with this course of action and to see the items put to good use.

"It is also our intention to feature a number of other initiatives when Newcastle come to Portman Road. The details are still being finalised but I do want it to be seen as two clubs celebrating one legend and there are a number of ideas that will be rolled out in due course."

In August last year, with Robson battling cancer for the fifth time, TWTD Message Boarder Andy Feasey started a petition calling for the North Stand to be renamed in the former manager's honour, with the idea gaining greater impetus since Robson's death at the end of last month.

Photo: Action Images

ITFCHollywoodGT added 10:17 - Aug 18 Great News!!!
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blueye added 10:20 - Aug 18 fantastic news!!
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Plumbers_Crack added 10:25 - Aug 18 Good news and a terrific idea for the shirts and scarves as well
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yarmoblue added 10:25 - Aug 18 "one bobby robson" superb news
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Trickster added 10:32 - Aug 18 R.I.P bobby
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byronitfc added 10:36 - Aug 18 Fantastic
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prawnsandwich added 10:38 - Aug 18 Great news, and great timing for the Toon Army game. RIP "We are the North Stand"
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svendust added 10:39 - Aug 18 Not sure about sending some of the vintage shirts to Africa (assuming there's still some left!), would have thought they would sell them to raise money for charity as they are worth a few bob. Good to hear about the stand being renamed and a nice touch that it will be unveiled against Newcastle by Lady Elsie.
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MarkITFC added 10:47 - Aug 18 Great news. Sir Bobby Rosbon Stand , awesome
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Pendejo added 10:49 - Aug 18 Globalisation of the ITFC brand! Imagine all those Town shirts & scarfs creating an interest in the club in Africa.. HOWEVER I would agree with svendust's comment above; auction the stuff to raise money for Sir Bob's Charity & send the Africans something more useful than an ITFC shirt with RIP Sir Bobby written across it... these shirts would look far better in a glass case somewhere, maybe even as a Turner Prize winning montage in a football museum somewhere. The Sir Bobby Robson Stand, home of "The Zombies" - for those too young to know this is a reference to Sir Bobby's criticism of the lack of atmosphere circa autumn 78 or 79 on the eve of a League Cup game against Naaaridge. As for the bit of artwork on the first message here - FANTASTIC - the club should adopt this artwork or use something very similar.

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WubbleU added 11:00 - Aug 18 Bobby Robson's Blue and White Zombies
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Havit_Blue added 11:05 - Aug 18 Proud to be a season ticket holder in the SIR BOBBY ROBSON STAND.......Well done...
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bluelagos added 11:06 - Aug 18 Well done on both the stand and the shirts to Africa...remember seeing a Kenyan team last year playing in a genuine Liverpool (reserves) kit from three or four years earlier...these things do get used and help the game overseas. Bobby was first and foremost a football man and his enthusiasm for footie was relentless. A great idea imho.
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Plums added 11:10 - Aug 18 Great news, absolutely the correct way to honour the great man.
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Lightningboy added 11:12 - Aug 18 Fantastic news but this really should've been done years ago whilst the Great man could appreciate it.
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BlueBagel added 11:16 - Aug 18 Nice one Simon Clegg - glad to have a season ticket in the Sir Bobby Robson stand - let's make sure we all sing loud and proud tonight and stuff Palace.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 11:18 - Aug 18 A lovely touch, especially holding it back for when we play Newcastle, as Bobby meant so much to both clubs, well done ITFC.
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Sibelius8 added 11:20 - Aug 18
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Kuqi_is_god added 11:21 - Aug 18 excellent!
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Sibelius8 added 11:24 - Aug 18 This is indeed great news and a fitting tribute to the great RR, but we should also name a stand to Sir Alf, arguably our greatest manager of all.
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suffolk_punch added 11:24 - Aug 18 PERFECT THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN
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bigfish added 11:38 - Aug 18 Excellent news RIP Sir Bobby
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steve01777 added 11:41 - Aug 18 A FITTING TRIBUTE TO A WONDERFUL SERVANT TO THIS CLUB OUR CLUB WELL DONE ITFC
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hollywoodginge added 11:49 - Aug 18 A great touch, in relation to not doing it sooner, it was the great man's wishes that we did not do such thing in his life time according to previous press releases, also we should definitely rename a stand - The Sir Alf Ramsey stand. this would mean sir bobby, sir alf and the cobbolds, all the biggest part of our clubs history, are honored in the correct fashion. RIP sir bobby

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Back_The_Boss added 12:00 - Aug 18 Brilliant, the best thing that could have happened.
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