Former England and Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson has died aged 76, following a long battle with cancer.
In 2007 he revealed that he had been battling the disease in various forms since 1992 but was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. After his final diagnosis he devoted his time to raising funds for cancer research and, in March 2008, founded The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation - a trust set up to study the early stages of the illness.
Between 1968 and 2007 he was actively involved in the game with various clubs, most notably Ipswich Town and FC Barcelona, but his finest hour was in the summer of 1990 when he took England to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
In 1999 he returned to his native North East to take over his beloved Newcastle where he spent five years at St James Park. Despite being sacked in 2004, he was considered a hero by Geordies and given the Freedom of the City less than a year later.
During a managerial career that spanned 39 years, Robson lifted various major honours both in England and Europe including championships in Portugal, Spain and Holland, one FA Cup, the UEFA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup.
Newcastle's Managing Director Derek Llambias said: "Sir Bobby was one of the game's true footballing legends, a unique, passionate man who gave so much to the game.
"He will be enormously missed by the whole football community worldwide and we extend our sincere condolences to his wife Elsie and family.
"We may never see his like again."
Everton FC have also expressed their sadness at Robson's passing and revealed that he visited Goodison Park regularly inbetween his managerial stints both in England and on the continent.
A club spokesman said: "Sir Bobby was a regular visitor to Goodson Park throughout his long and illustrious playing and managerial career and this football club would like to mark the passing of a man of genuine integrity."
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