Newcastle United have announced they will unveil a statue of former manager Sir Bobby Robson before their final home game of the season.
A ceremony will take place on Sunday May 6 to reveal the nine-and-a-half foot tall bronze sculpture of Sir Bobby which will stand outside the Sports Direct Arena.
The statue was commissioned by the club last year and pays tribute to the former England manager who died in 2009 after a battle with lung cancer.
Derek Llambias, managing director at Newcastle United, said: We re delighted to be able to honour Sir Bobby Robson with this lasting tribute. He was a great man and ambassador for this football club and for the city.
He achieved great success during his time as manager of Newcastle United and this statue is a fitting way for the club to remember him.
The ceremony will be attended by former players and staff who worked under Sir Bobby as well as current manager Alan Pardew with his team of backroom staff.
Also present among the guests will be Sir Bobby s widow, Lady Elsie Robson, representatives from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the sculptor, Tom Maley.
Lady Elsie Robson added: It s very fitting that there will be a tribute to Bob outside Newcastle United s ground. This is where his love of football began.
As a boy he d come here with his dad and he likely queued to get into the ground where the statue will be sited.
My husband s career took him all over the world but he was always a Newcastle fan at heart. He loved this club and was very proud to be its manager.
I think the statue design is wonderful and I m very grateful to Newcastle United for funding it.
