Prints of a painting of Town’s UEFA Cup-winning side signed by Sir Bobby Robson and the team which beat AZ 67 Alkmaar 5-4 over two legs in the final in May 1981 have been put up for sale by the artist, Trevor Clements.

The original of the painting was owned by Sir Bobby himself, who agreed to sign a number of prints in return.

Lee Clements, the son of the artist, recalled: “In the 90s my dad painted the 1981 UEFA Cup-winning team and Sir Bobby Robson, then the manager of Barcelona, flew over to Ipswich to meet him and agreed to sign 200 prints if he could keep the original.

“Later, John Wark kindly agreed to help get 12 signed by the rest of that famous team. It took him two years to get all of them.

“It was quite a feat to get Sir Bobby Robson to come over and sign them as my dad is not a professional artist, it’s more of a hobby.

“He phoned Barcelona during a tea break while working as a warehouseman and managed to have a brief chat with him.

“He said he was coming over to Ipswich to visit his dentist and to see a cancer specialist.

“He squeezed in seeing my dad and my family being the great man that he was. We met at Portman Road and he signed the pictures.

“It was definitely another occasion showing Sir Bobby's very down to earth nature. The photo [taken for the Spanish press] originally should have been just of him and my dad but he insisted my brother, my mum and I should be in it too.”

Lee says his father, a lifelong Town fan who lives in Mellis, wants the prints to go to fellow Town supporters rather than collectors: “He has considered eBay for them but thought selling them through TWTD would give genuine Ipswich fans a better chance of owning them.

“One was auctioned by Ipswich Town to raise money for the academy last year for around £900.

“There are five fully signed pictures left, all with certificates of authenticity from the club.

“He is looking to sell them for around £600. He also has 50 prints just signed by Bobby Robson for £30 each.”

If you’re interested in owning one of the prints, call Trevor Clements on 07960 166427 or email clemants@aol.com.

Monday’s game against Newcastle United at Portman Road has been designated Sir Bobby Robson Day in honour of the clubs' legendary boss.

Photos: Reuters/Contributed

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