The KBB Centre has been announced as the sponsor of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, which will now be officially known as the Sir Bobby Robson North Stand, sponsored by the KBB Centre.

The KBB Centre, a local, family-run company specialising in the designing, planning and installing kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, are long-standing club sponsors.

“We have enjoyed the support of The KBB Centre for many, many seasons,” Rosie Richardson, Town’s director of sales, told the club site.

“They are a local and loyal company who have taken their involvement with the club to the next level.”

Roger Peck, who co-owns the company with his brother Patrick, says he has been watching the Blues for more than 50 years.

“It was 1970. I was eight years of age and my nan, grandad and uncle Brian took me to the Churchman’s stand at Portman Road,” he recalled.

“Brian said to me ‘Ipswich Town are playing Nottingham Forest’ and inside there was the sound of so many people singing.

“My nan said ‘That is the North Stand’, arm raised, pointing. It finished 0-0, but I didn’t care. The North Stand was my hook! A few weeks later it was Manchester United (4-0 win if I remember correctly).

“ITFC was now my passion. This passion would pass on to my three younger brothers - the love of football and especially Ipswich Town.

“Years later, my daughter and I would stand together and sing in the North Stand! So, imagine how proud my brother Patrick and I are now, looking at the North Stand and seeing our company name alongside Sir Bobby Robson! Dreams can come true!”

This is the first time the North Stand has been sponsored either under its traditional name or since it was renamed in tribute to Sir Bobby Robson in 2009 following the legendary boss's death.

Photo: Action Images

Whos_blue added 12:28 - Aug 22 This can only be great news and really pleased that the nirth stand has been officially recognised in the name change. It sounds perfect.
2

Freddies_Ears added 12:32 - Aug 22 A special prize to anyone who can get the stand singing "we're the Sir Bobby Robson North Stand sponsored by the KBBCentre"...
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itsonlyme added 12:34 - Aug 22 It will always be the north stand for me lol. However all sponsorship is important.
3

Witherspoon123 added 12:35 - Aug 22 feel like sponsoring out the bobby robson stand is not in keeping with the Integrity of the club - we have 3 stands named after 2 great managers and a duo of chairman, and should remain that way without name changing to a designing company saying that - i wont be calling it any different, but hopefully you see my point
6

SlippinJimmyJuan added 12:42 - Aug 22 Witherspoon123 - I can't see much wrong with it myself. The stand retains it's name with the sponsorship coming second. No history or respect for the great man has been lost, and money has been made from the backing of a local company. It shows me that the owners will tread carefully with regards to our history while securing commercial backing.
10

TractorfactorSteve added 12:42 - Aug 22 Anyone fancy sponsoring my living room in Cyprus?
0

IpswichToon added 12:57 - Aug 22 I think Witherspoon's point was that the late Bobby Robson now has his name and his dedication associated with a commercial company's name. It's a bit insensitive to his memory, at least in my opinion.
5

Stewart27 added 13:21 - Aug 22 Fantastic move. Bobby Robson stand ✅ North Stand ✅ Getting paid for it ✅
2

blues1 added 13:33 - Aug 22 Witherspoon. The west stand has always been sponsored since it was rebuilt. Started aspioneer stand up to its present guise. The sir alf was previously the greene king stand. So don't seectheres any issue here. Especially as again, it's a local company, sponsoring it and it's still being called the sir bobby robson stand. Sure fans feelings would have vedn different had the name been replaced by the sponsors name, or the sponsors name had been put 1st. But this is a greatcoat of getting further finance into the club, while both keeping the stands heritage, and giving a local company some publicity. Everyone's a winner really.

1

blues1 added 13:35 - Aug 22 *peoples feelings would have been **But this is a great way
0

tivo added 13:54 - Aug 22 Congrats to all involved. > SBR name kept as the main focus point. > Revenue created for the club. > Local company as the sponsor. > 'North' back in the name :)
4

Robert_Garrett added 14:10 - Aug 22 Been standing/ sitting in the most popular North Stand for 55 years now. Doesn't matter to me what its called so long as it has a roof & it's dry? My First match was October 22 1966 which was a 5-4 thrashing of Hull City under our great Bill McGarry.
1

Fatboy added 14:24 - Aug 22 I tried to buy a ticket in "Churchman's" a few years ago and the girl in the ticket office didn't know what I meant!
2

slade1 added 14:32 - Aug 22 As an old timer the stands will always be known as the north stand, churchmans, the east stand and the west stand. With everything everywhere being sponsored these days I'm surprised the the actual ground hasn't been renamed. Near on every other ground is now a days.
0

TexacoCup added 15:10 - Aug 22 I'm with you slade1 but I still think of the East stand as the chicken run. I'm happy with the sponsorship move - benefits all. I won't be happy if they rename Portman Road
1

Westy added 15:57 - Aug 22 Not keen on this. I was in the stand when Sir Bobby's window cut the ribbon and the stadium announcer declared that 'fom this moment, the stand to the North of the stadium will be known as The Sir Bobby Robson Stand'. His sons were also present. Now it is being associated with a commercial enterprise that will be included in the title of the stand so what was declared over twenty years ago has been partly undone. Have the Club consulted with the family given the promise made during the ceremony on the pitch. To have a sponsor - perhaps, but to include it in the title seems to go against the original intent.

-1

blues1 added 16:59 - Aug 22 Westy. Its still called the sir bobby robson stand. And no doubt that's what everyone will continue to call it, without the companies name. Some will call itcthr North stand, I do on occasions. Then again I still call the west stand, the pioneer stand. So dont think the slight alteration with " north" back in the title or the kbb name, is gonna make any difference to anyone. Just brings in more revenue to the club and will give another local company a bit of publicity.

1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:03 - Aug 22 Robert Garret: Snap! I remember that game, and if I'm not mistaken, it was my first game too!
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Westy added 17:06 - Aug 22 Blues1 - yes it will bring in revenue and at least it is a local family company that are long-standing supporters. My date was wrong, it was 2009 when the stand was re-named. I still often refer to it as the North Stand and was aware the ' Sir Bobby Robson Stand' will be incorporated in the new title
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:08 - Aug 22 I get the concern about the great man's name being diluted by a commercial company, but because of several factors, I can definitely live with the new title on this occasion: 1) Sir Bobby's name is still first and foremost, 2) This local company has been associated with the club for a long time, 3) The co-owner is a lifelong ITFC fan. So all in all, I reckon it's OK.

1

Skip73 added 18:08 - Aug 22 We deal with KBB at work. They are a very good company. Good news all round.
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itfchorry added 18:17 - Aug 22 Bobby Robson's North Stand - Sounds so dam good
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Taricco_Fan added 18:39 - Aug 22 Catchy.
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joyousblue added 02:29 - Aug 23 As long as it's not the kgb
1

Chickenstochurchmans added 07:27 - Aug 23 Robert Garret & Steve in Sweden. My first game as well! I've got the programme sitting next to me on the sideboard.
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