Tributes have poured in to Sir Bobby Robson on the fifth anniversary of his death.
While The Football Association marked the event with Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day and a grassroots football event next to Ipswich Town's Portman Road, countless clubs, governing bodies and charities have shared their memories of the great man.
Richard Bevan, chief executive from the League Managers Association, said: "Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Sir Bobby Robson and the event in Ipswich demonstrates that his legacy will always live on.
“Sir Bobby Robson was not only a person who graced the managerial profession, he graced mankind.”
Richard Bevan League Managers Association
"There has never been a finer sporting ambassador than Sir Bobby Robson. He continues to remain a shining example for all managers and he was not only held in the highest regard domestically but throughout the world of football.
He added: "The LMA is proud to have had as one of its members and Life Vice President a man who demonstrated courage, dignity and unselfishness without limitation.
"Away from the game and through the creation of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation further shows what a great man he truly was.
"The fantastic work the foundation continues to do and the fact it has positively impacted on so many lives is the biggest testament I can provide to him and his family who must be incredibly proud of all his achievements throughout his life.
"Sir Bobby Robson was not only a person who graced the managerial profession, he graced mankind. Sir Bobby will forever be remembered not only as a terrific football manager and player, but perhaps more importantly as a great man."
“We always reminisce about the great man that was Sir Bobby Robson. Gone but never forgotten.”
Ged Grebby Show Racism the Red Card
Ged Grebby, from north-east based charity Show Racism the Red Card, added: "I was privileged to meet Sir Bobby Robson on numerous occasions when he was manager of Newcastle United.
"He became a patron of our charity Show Racism the Red Card and despite his incredibly busy schedule, always made time to attend our events or make sure his players represented him if he could not attend.
"Sir Bobby even attended one of our events on his birthday and brought along Gary Lineker, Olivier Bernard and Jermaine Jenas.
"He had just been made a knight of the realm and I asked should we introduce him to the young people as 'Sir Bobby Robson'. Typically his response was 'No just call me Bobby'.
"Olivier Bernard has gone on to work for our charity for the last five years and we always reminisce about the great man that was Sir Bobby Robson. Gone but never forgotten."
Hull City and former Newcastle United goalkeeper Stever Harper took to Twitter with some thoughts on Sir Bobby.
5yrs ago today we lost not only a great manager but a great man too. His tremendous legacy lives on through the fantastic @SBRFoundation
— Stephen Harper (@steveharper37) July 31, 2014
Pre-season & we're 0-3 down after 60mins v Barcelona. Shay is playing (for a change 😴) SBR turns to me & says "get warm son you're going on"
— Stephen Harper (@steveharper37) July 31, 2014
So 0-3 down & as I go on Sir Bobby shouts, "Stevie, don't let anymore goals in son we're getting murdered!" #priceless
— Stephen Harper (@steveharper37) July 31, 2014
Memories of Sir Bobby were also shared in the Netherlands, where he managed PSV Eindhoven in two successful spells.
‘Enjoy the game’, he used to say. PSV will always cherish the memory of #SirBobby Robson. Great man, unique sense of humor. #psv
— PSV (@PSV) July 31, 2014
1999: PSV escapes, ensures Champions League. Phone of #SirBobby rings in the dressing room; says ‘sssh!’… “Thank you for calling, Mr Pope!”
— PSV (@PSV) July 31, 2014
The FA is proud to be associated with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which continues to do valuable work in raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer. Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008 after a request for help from his oncologist Professor Ruth Plummer.
Sir Bobby said he would give up a year of his life to the charity. In fact, he became so passionate about it that, despite being very ill, he spent his last 18 months doing all he could to raise funds to find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer through his Foundation.
He described it as “like being at the helm of a team again” - his last and greatest team – and always said ‘when’ not ‘if’ we beat cancer. Sir Bobby truly believed, with us all pulling together, we will beat the disease.
