Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Bobby Robson remembered: Lineker, Fergie and Capello lead memorial service tributes
Fans joined the elite of European football to give thanks for the life of Sir Bobby Robso, one of the game's best-loved figures.
A thousand invited guests accompanied the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, England boss Fabio Capello and Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola who attended the emotional service at Durham Cathedral.
Premier League managers, and others from lower down the ladder who have been helped by Sir Bobby's advice, were present at the thanksgiving - alongside players past and present.
Broadcast live on TV, fans were invited to watch on big screens at the grounds of Newcastle United and Ipswich Town - where he served as manager with great distinction.
Sportsmail columnist Gary Lineker, who credited Sir Bobby with much of his success in becoming England's second-highest goalscorer, lead the personal tributes - talking fondly about his mentor's time managing the national side.
Gary Lineker speaks during the Sir Bobby Robson Thanksgiving Service
Alan Shearer
Remembering a legend: Gary Lineker addresses the service with a speech after Alan Shearer (R) arrived to pay his respects to his one-time Newcastle boss
Only the width of a post denied his England team a place in the 1990 World Cup final in a tournament which made Paul Gascoigne a star.
Speaking beforehand, Lineker said: 'I will be nervous because I won't want to let him or his family down. I could probably do with one of his famous pep talks.'
Leading the tributes: Lady Elsie Robson, the widow of Sir Bobby, along with her son Andrew and her family arrive at the memorial service
Leading the tributes: Lady Elsie Robson, the widow of Sir Bobby, along with her son Andrew and her family arrive at the memorial service
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reflected on his friend's return to English football, managing Newcastle after spending much of the 1990s in successful exile with club sides in Holland, Portugal and finally at Barcelona - picking up trophies along the way.
Moving moment: England boss and former England idol Paul Gascoigne shed a tear during the emotional thanksgiving service
Moving moment: England boss and former England idol Paul Gascoigne shed a tear during the emotional thanksgiving service
Also attending were Sam Allardyce, Roy Keane and showbusiness duo Anthony
McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, along with Stuart Pearce and Alan Shearer.
Sir Bobby was loved by Newcastle fans and football supporters around the country as an elder statesman of the beautiful game, just as the excesses of the newly-wealthy Premier League were causing concern.
Talking a good game: Sir Alex Ferguson offers his personal appreciation
Talking a good game: Sir Alex Ferguson offers his personal appreciation
His best man and fellow ex-Fulham player Tom Wilson reminisced about Sir Bobby's time as a goal-scoring midfielder, good enough to play 20 times for England.
Finally, cancer specialist Dr Ruth Plummer remembered his inspiring decision to set up the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation which has raised around £1.8 million for research into early detection of the disease.
Sir Bobby died at home in County Durham aged 76 in July, having fought cancer five times.
Such was the affection felt for a genuine football man that his target of raising £500,0000 was met in just eight weeks.
In February, he was proud to officially open a cancer trials centre at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, and he said then he wanted that to be his legacy.
Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins sang a stunning special rendition of Nessun Dorma by Tenors Unlimited, serving a stark reminder of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
England and Newcastle star Peter Beardsley said as he arrived for the service:
'Sir Bobby was one of the greatest football men of all time. He was so close in 1990. Lady Elsie would be so proud.'
Declan Donnelly and Anthony McPartlin
United: TV double-act Ant and Dec were also in attendance to pay their respects
Other arrivals included current Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton and players from the first-team squad. Former goalkeeper Shay Given was also among the guests.
David Moyes
Pen pal: Everton boss Moyes still treasures a hand-written letter from Sir Bobby
Everton manager David Moyes remembered receiving a hand-written letter from Sir Bobby when he was at Barcelona in response to a request by the would-be coach to
come to watch training.
Moyes said he still has a copy of the letter at home.
He added: 'All the Premier League managers look up to Sir Bobby.'
Former England boss Terry Venables sits with four members of his Euro '96 squad, Alan Shearer, Stuart Pearce, Paul Gascoigne and David Seaman during the service
Former England boss Terry Venables sits beside four members of his Euro '96 squad, Alan Shearer, Stuart Pearce, Gazza and David Seaman during the service
Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram was also among the arrivals.
Sir Bobby was survived by his wife Lady Elsie and three sons, Paul, Andrew and Mark, and the family held a private funeral service last month.
Sir Alex, meanwhile, said Sir Bobby never forgot his roots in the North East.
'Fantastic that he would do that, not to change his entire life. It's a great talent that, not to change, to be the same person.'
Sing for the moment: Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins presented a rousing rendition of Nessun Dorma, evoking memories of Italia 1990
Sing for the moment: Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins presented a rousing rendition of Nessun Dorma, evoking memories of Italia 1990
Speaking about Sir Bobby's fight against cancer, Sir Alex said: 'He fought his disease with incredible courage and resilience and showed you what his background was.'
The Manchester United manager spoke of Sir Bobby's enthusiasm for football and remembered many times when they would speak about the game together.
'He never lost that enthusiasm,' he said.
'That enthusiasm, you just can't explain it, special people have got it.
'I think I speak for almost everyone here in football terms, he influenced me but what made him so special was he influenced people who didn't know him. They admired his courage, his dignity, his enthusiasm.'
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, flanked by Alan Shearer, Fabio Capello, Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker during the service, remarked how he is still influenced by Sir Bobby
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, flanked by Alan Shearer, Fabio Capello, Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker during the service, remarked how he is still influenced by Sir Bobby
Sir Alex said people would 'forever' remember his 'little jig' when England scored against Belgium in the 1990 World Cup.
The manager ended his eulogy: 'It has been one of the privileges of my life to have met him and to have been enthused by him.
'He influenced me then and he's always influenced me.'
