Source: Telegraph
Sir Bobby Robson: Newcastle United tributes for former manager
Robson, who managed the Tyneside club for five years between 1999-2004, was first diagnosed with cancer in the early 1990s and has since battled the disease at various instances of his life.
Former England and Newcastle captain Alan Shearer paid tribute to a "great man".
"Sunday was a fitting tribute to him and he will be sadly missed by everyone, not just by people in the football world but from all walks of life," Shearer said.
"It's a very sad day for everyone, especially his family, his close friends and anyone who's ever worked with him."
Hailing him for the bravery he showed over the duration of his illness, former Newcastle assistant manager Terry McDermott told Sky Sports: "It's devastating. Everybody knew it was coming. The people who've seen him at the weekend at the charity game, you could see he wasn't a well man.
"It shows the courage of the man to actually turn up in front of 33,000 people and get the fitting send-off he deserved because he's a fantastic football person.
"Everybody knew he was in trouble and he was going to die but it's still a shock to everybody. Everybody remembers him obviously for being a nice person but what a great football person as well.
"He'll be sadly missed by everyone, not just Newcastle but football in general."
Of his personal memories of Robson, McDermott added: "I've met Bobby on numerous occasions. Eighteen months ago I went to a function in Durham, one of his charity nights. and him and Alex Ferguson came on stage... it was beyond belief how ill he was.
"He just mesmerised everybody, it was a pleasure to be in his company. He always had a story to tell, a very amusing guy. Our hearts go out to his wife and all his family."
Newcastle 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."
Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who worked with Robson during his stint in charge of the club and sacked him after only four games in 2004, stressed how deeply his loss would be felt in the city.
"It's very, very sad, especially here on Tyneside. The whole city will be grieving this morning," he told the BBC. "He was a great man and he will be sorely missed, certainly in Newcastle.
"I worked every day with him for five years and that's when you see the character of a man. He was certainly the best manager I worked with."
Robson's family havve released a statement in which they said the funeral would be "private and for family members only".
They added that a memorial service for his friends and colleagues would be held at a later date.
