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

legoman added 12:01 - Aug 18 What on earth is going on? We paid total respect to Sir Alf and Sir Bob by installing statues. That is honor enough. I suppose if I put my commercial hat on the stand tribute is to make the brand stand out globally but Sir Alf did win the top division title and the the world cup so why arnt we pushing that too?
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AlexITFC added 12:04 - Aug 18 Legoman what are you on about, we gave Sir Bobby a statue in recognition to his acheivements at the club, we are now re-naming the North Stand after him in memory of his life. How can you possibly argue about this being done?
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brazils_bath_robe added 12:06 - Aug 18 A very fitting and lasting tribute to the great man. Also agree about the Sir Alf Ramsey idea too
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Muhren added 12:15 - Aug 18 Great news!! Really pleased.
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legoman added 12:22 - Aug 18 No were not alexi. Its a tribute to what he achieved for us the same as the statue was otherwise every club would have a bobby robson stand
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Martus added 12:28 - Aug 18 Good stuff, I hope they do the artwork that was in the evening star, and on the first post, i also hope both the toon and the town have the bobby robson foundation logo on the shirts
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devontractorboy added 12:30 - Aug 18 Can't beoieve some of you on here actually arguing about this!!!! It's not just about achievement but about what kind of a man Sir Bobby was, a true gentleman, sportsman, brilliant manager (won something virtually every where he went) good causes fundraiser & loved by a nation even those without much interest in football. He was & still is the man I admire most after my own father. He would be 'chuffed' with this honour & we should be chuffed for him, not arguing like a bunch of girls!!!! I look forward to being there to honour his memory, lets make it memorable for his family too.

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Martus added 12:31 - Aug 18 Although, i do think sir alf should have the north stand after him and bobby the south or another seeming as sir alf is by the north stand
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blueoveru added 12:34 - Aug 18 Scarves in Africa,just whats needed,as for the rarest items i would prefer to have Ipswich museum have them on display to be honest
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TractorRoyNo1 added 12:43 - Aug 18 I am sure that the Club will look again at a Sir Alf Ramsey Stand in a couple of years or so. If Lady Elsie wants the items to go to Africa - end of! - the family have the final say in everthing in this great man's name; as it should be.
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kipper added 12:46 - Aug 18 Great news, and a nice touch to unveil before the Newcastle game especially if Sir Bobby's family are in attendance. Wonder if lots of former players will also be there ?
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GeorgiDoundarov added 12:54 - Aug 18 Great news! And also very appropriate to do this when Newcastle are here too!
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Country_Boy added 12:59 - Aug 18 Let's just hold fire until that planning application has been passed. The people that work at the Council are a right bunch of overpaid t*ssers, and I would not put it past their sad existences to reject this application.
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MAVERICK added 13:17 - Aug 18 A nice touch ! Another proud moment being a Ipswich supporter .
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JayITFC added 13:42 - Aug 18 Sir Bobby Robson North Stand - FANTASTIC!!!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 13:58 - Aug 18 Hey, 'Countryboy' unfair comment about the planners at the council. I am sure IBC will have no problem with it, but if 'Mr / Mrs Smith / Jones' doesn't want to see a huge sign outside her bedroom window then they will have to consider his / her wishes.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 14:02 - Aug 18 "JayITFC" - i think you have just highlighted a problem, it will always be known as the "North Stand". "We're the Sir Bobby Robson Stand" just doesn't scan for song lyrics.
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tractor_lady added 14:03 - Aug 18 fab news :-) may the legend go on...
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TractorBeezer added 14:26 - Aug 18 Well done ITFC. I am delighted that we are recognising the life and achievements of Sir Bobby and showing our gratitude to the greatest extent possible. The September 26 target v. Newcastle is a perfect touch. I also agree that we should be considering similar recognition for Sir Alf.
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dobbie73 added 14:30 - Aug 18 Great news that this change is happening, and at the Newcastle game too. With regards to chants etc, I guess it still will be the 'North stand', but officially it will be the 'Sir Bobby Robson Stand', unless we can think up some awesone lyrics with the new stand name included ....? All in all, a fitting tribute to a wonderful guy. Well done to all involved in this.
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dobbie73 added 14:37 - Aug 18 TractorBreezer - maybe the Greene King/South/Churchmans end should be renamed for Sir Alf? Not just yet as that would detract from this period of celebration for Sir Bobby's achievements and mourning of his passing, but maybe in a few months, I dunno.
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WickedBlue added 14:53 - Aug 18 Great plan for a great man...glad to see it and no better time than when we play Newcastle. Agree with the previous poster the next thing on the agenda is to rename another stand the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.
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BlueBoots added 14:56 - Aug 18 Performance of the season so far by Clegg, and all involved in this decision. Renaming the North Stand - Thumbs Up Timing it to coincide with the Newcastle game - 2 Thumbs Up Sending the shirts and scarves from Sir Bobby's statue to Africa - 3 Thumbs Up
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FabianMalyon added 15:16 - Aug 18 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/8204988.stm This is the so and so who nicked the shirts...
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bens_a_blue added 15:18 - Aug 18 BlueBoots - 3 thumbs? Are you from Norfolk? ;) As for song lyrics, how about "We all sit in the Sir Bobby stand, the Sir Bobby stand, the Sir Bobby stand!!" - to the tune of Yellow Submarine?
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