The sun was beaming down on Portman Road on Thursday as Ipswich Town led the celebrations to honour Sir Bobby Robson.
The former England manager spent a glorious 13-year spell in Suffolk yielding the Super Blues' best trophy haul in their history as they lifted both The FA Cup and UEFA Cup.
On 31 July 2009, Sir Bobby - who moved from Ipswich in 1982 to take the reigns of the national team for eight years - sadly passed away following a long battle with cancer, but in his final years launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to raise money in the fight against the disease that took his life.
Lady Elsie and Mark Robson receive an FA donation of £25,000
Fittingly, it was Ipswich Town that played host to Sir Bobby Robson Football Day five years after his death.
The FA's 'love football, play football' message was at its heart as local children were given the chance to take part in FA Tesco Skills sessions organised by The FA in conjunction with Suffolk FA.
There was also an array of famous faces as former England stars Peter Shilton and Terry Butcher signed autographs and posed for photos with fans.
Ex-Ipswich favourite John Wark mingled with the huge crowd, too, who were also there to see Mick McCarthy's current crop of talent at the club's open day.
"It's a great turn-out and a lovely day, the kids seem to be enjoying it and it's a tribute to Bobby," said England's most-capped player Shilton.
"I had eight years under him with England, they were great times. Bobby used to join in, take the odd session, but he had tremendous respect.
"All his teams played good football, whether in England or abroad, and that's a testament to him."
FA General Secretary Alex Horne and St. George's Park Chairman, and former Ipswich Town Chairman, David Sheepshanks were also in attendence to make a special donation to Sir Bobby's charity.
Sir Bobby Robson Football Day, 31 July 2014
"We are giving £25,000 today to the Sir Bobby Robson foundation. It's a hugely important charity for us and Sir Bobby was a hugely important man for The FA," said Horne.
"He was a coach and a manager who supported everything The FA epitomises. He supported grassroots football, the development of players and the development of coaches.
"He was a great role-model for coaches today, to go over and manage clubs internationally is a huge legacy. It goes to show that English managers can and will be great again and Sir Bobby was one of the greatest."
He added: "We chose last year on our 150th anniversary to mark Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day and to showcase the work that goes on up and down the country week in, week out, with a series of grassroots events like today.
"We have scaled it back a bit this year but it’s something we will do every year just to reflect how much people love football, play football and all the work volunteers do coaching, refereeing and supporting the game in this country."
Lady Elsie, Sir Bobby's widow, and his son Mark were delighted to receive the cheque for £25,000, which continues The FA's support of the Foundation which launched in 2008 and has now raised over £7 million.
Kids enjoy one of The FA Skills sessions at Portman Road
"The FA have been fantastic for the Foundation," said Mark Robson. "Each year they have given us £25,000 and hopefully that will continue.
"They have held his name in good stead and we are really proud of what they have done.
"Dad would be astonished by the fundraising and the fundraisers. He'd be humbled and proud, and as a family we are so thankful."
Sir Bobby Robson Day continued The FA’s grassroots focus this summer, following on from a hugely successful ‘Reds v Blues’ initiative in June – when tens of thousands of people took part in matches across the country.
It builds up towards The FA Community Shield weekend, in association with community partner McDonald’s later in August, when even more money will be raised for good causes all over the country.
Watch our video from Sir Bobby Robson Day in Ipswich
