Newcastle United have announced that they will be unveiling a statue of former Town manager Sir Bobby Robson before their last home game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday, 6th May. The Blues paid a similar tribute in 2002 (pictured).

The nine-and-a-half feet tall bronze sculpture will stand at the South-West corner outside St James’ Park.

Players and staff who worked with Robson will attend the unveiling, along with Newcastle’s current staff, the sculptor Tom Maley and Sir Bobby’s widow Lady Elsie.

Newcastle’s managing director Derek Llambias said: "We're delighted to be able to honour Sir Bobby Robson with this lasting tribute.

"He was a great man and ambassador for this football club and for the city. He achieved great success during his time as manager of Newcastle United and this statue is a fitting way for the club to remember him."

Lady Elsie Robson added: "It's very fitting that there will be a tribute to Bob outside Newcastle United's ground. This is where his love of football began.

"As a boy he'd come here with his dad and he likely queued to get into the ground where the statue will be sited.

"My husband's career took him all over the world but he was always a Newcastle fan at heart. He loved this club and was very proud to be its manager.

"I think the statue design is wonderful and I'm very grateful to Newcastle United for funding it."

St James' Park already has one statue of an ex-Town manager, legendary Magpies striker Jackie Milburn, who was in charge at Portman Road between 1963 and 1964.

Photo: Action Images

ElvisMariner added 11:11 - Apr 26 another great tribute to a great man
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brittaniaman added 11:30 - Apr 26 HE CERTAINLY PUT IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB ON THE MAP !!!!!!!!!! A great 13 yrs. we had with him here in charge of everything !!!!
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Tractorog added 11:41 - Apr 26 Hero.
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rolandehowey added 11:50 - Apr 26 Great date May 6th, F.A. cup 78. My birthday.
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Fatcatevans added 11:52 - Apr 26 About time! They conveniently forget to mention they sacked him after finishing 4th in the league.
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Jesney_Havoc added 11:53 - Apr 26 Let's not forget Newcastle sacked him. Not many sacked managers get statues. Perhaps we should make one of Jackie Milburn ?
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StowTractorBoy added 12:38 - Apr 26 Every time Sir Bob is mentioned it is Newcastle this Newcastle that - they sacked him for heavens sake.
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canveyblue added 12:42 - Apr 26 The man is a LEGEND........
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itfc1981 added 13:27 - Apr 26 They should feel ashamed they sacked him, but he loved the club. Glad we got the trophies though.
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Radlett_blue added 13:55 - Apr 26 While he was a Newcastle fan through & through, they sacked him under ridiculous circumstances & I don't think this is appropriate. Perhaps Mohamed Fayed might like to put one of Sir Bobby up at Fulham alongside Micheal Jackson?
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SouperJim added 14:02 - Apr 26 I find this petty sniping at Newcastle very distasteful. Sir Bob's life deserves to be celebrated and those kind of comments only show disrespect to his memory.
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saffronblue added 15:11 - Apr 26 Great tribute to a great man. Right where do you want the Roy Keane statue put.
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itfc1981 added 15:25 - Apr 26 His sacking was distasteful. That does not detract from a super honour for Sir Bob. He is loved by one and all, his heart remained in the North East and there is no better place for another statue.
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IpswichFan26 added 17:17 - Apr 26 Fantastic decision! Sir Bobby Robson, a hero and a legend to all Ipswich and Newcastle fans and deserves this statue. R.I.P
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petermorris added 19:48 - Apr 26 Good point Radlet-blue. And while we're at it, why haven't we got a Nick Kershaw hugging Keith Deller statue next to Sir Alf? Disgraceful & Clegg Out etc.
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carsey added 20:15 - Apr 26 I was lucky enough to a teenager when Bobby Robson was in his prime and Ipswich were at the top of the tree. We didn't go to matches wondering if we would win We just wondered how many we would win by. We feared no one at in England or Europe. Whilst I understand those who say his heart was in Newcastle I hate them for the way he was treated not just by the club but the supporters as well - they didn't deserve him.

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