Newcastle United and Ipswich Town prepare Sir Bobby Robson tribute as ex-player remembers ‘true legend’

Duncan Ferguson has described Sir Bobby Robson as ‘a legend of the game’ as Newcastle United and Ipswich Town prepare to honour a true legend on what would have been his 90th birthday.

The current Forest Green Rovers manager is preparing to take his side to Ipswich on Saturday afternoon, where the Portman Road faithful will honour Sir Bobby after he led them to silverware in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup before taking over as England boss in July 1982.

Ahead of the game, the Scot said: “He (Sir Bobby) was a beautiful man, a great guy to be around. He’s a legend of the game and anybody that came into contact with Bobby loved him.

“Walter (Smith, former Everton manager) was a beautiful gentleman, Howard Kendall was my mentor and hopefully I’ve picked up little bits from them all along the way.”

The former Magpies manager will also be remembered before Newcastle’s meeting with Liverpool on Saturday evening as the Wor Flags group revealed a pre-match display in his honour. They gave a hint of their plans and put out a call for support on Friday via their social media accounts, saying: “Our display tomorrow will be held in the East Stand. A tribute to Sir Bobby Robson.

“There will be a static surfer flag in the middle of the stand that we’d appreciate your help with holding. It will look fantastic. Please RT, thank you all for the help! #BOBBY90”

Current Magpies manager Eddie Howe described the man he is trying to emulate by taking United into the Champions League as ‘a remarkable person’ in his pre-match press conference and revealed he is looking forward to seeing the display.

He said: “It’ll be a fitting tribute to an incredible man. I was unfortunate not to have met him but heard stories about him and I’m looking forward to seeing the tribute & paying tribute to a remarkable person.”