Ex-Town boss Bobby Robson celebrates his 70th birthday today, a day which he will spend training with his Newcastle squad.

Robson has been at Newcastle for three-and-a-half years with chairman Freddie Shepherd keen to keep him working as long as possible: "All this fuss about his 70th birthday. Mark my words, we'll be doing it all over again in five years.

"We handed him a 12-month rolling contract to stop the vultures gathering.

"There's no ticking clock, no countdown to retirement. Every day he gets out of bed, he was a year left.

"OK, Elsie might have something to say about the day he packs it all in, but I'm not going to get between Bobby and his wife.

"People keep asking me: 'Who's the next manager? Is there a backstop in case Bobby gets run over by a bus? The truth is there is no backstop. I don't know the alternative.

"Physically, Bobby is an unbelievable specimen. Look at his posture. Whenever I watch training, he's always in the middle of it with his boots on. You never see him watching from the touchline, barking orders.

"The enthusiasm and drive are still there. He's more passionate than ever. If you could bottle what Bobby's got, you'd earn a few quid."

Robson managed Town from 1969 to 1982 when he took over as England boss. He accepted the Town job on his 36th birthday.

He presided over the club's 1978 FA Cup and 1981 UEFA Cup wins as well as keeping the Blues in Division One throughout his time at Portman Road and in Europe for nine seasons.

Photo: Action Images

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