5:02PM, Tue Jul 31, 2012

Fans Remember Sir Bobby Robson On Third Anniversary Of Death

By Andy Hughes Location: Newcastle

Sir Bobby Robson would have been loving the Olympic Games, his son said on the third anniversary of his death.

Mark Robson spoke about his father as fans paid tribute to Newcastle United and England legend.

Sir Bobby passed away on July 31, 2009, at the age of 76 following a long battle with cancer.

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Picture gallery

Sir Bobby Robson playing for England in 1962

A statue to commemorate the former manager was unveiled at St James’ Park in May 2012.

Video: Sir Bobby Robson statue unveiled at St James' Park

Sir Bobby's son Mark said: “In the weeks before he died, Dad said he wanted the Foundation to be his legacy for other people fighting cancer.

“That’s certainly what it’s become and I’ve no doubts he’d be incredibly proud of everything we’ve already achieved.

“As a family, we’re working closely with the medical trustees of the charity and they are always looking for the next innovation or new treatment which could make a big difference.

“There are exciting plans in the pipeline and we’re very grateful to everyone who is helping us to continue the work my Dad started.

“My brothers, my Mum and I have all been a bit taken aback by the ongoing strength of support for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. That makes us more determined than ever to keep it going and to fulfil Dad’s wishes. Each day makes us even prouder than the last.

“I’ve been thinking about him this week because of the Olympics. He loved his summers of sport. And with the Test Match starting he’d be flicking between that and the Olympics and commenting on them both and absolutely glued to the action.”

Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008 and it has gone on to raise £4,095,264 to help find more effective treatments for cancer.

The charity funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria - including the clinical trials of drugs at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre – and which contribute significantly to international efforts and research into fighting the disease.

It has funded a range of cancer projects, beginning by equipping the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and funding a specialist clinical research nurse and research doctor within it.

Over 1,000 patients have been treated on clinical trials since the ‘Sir Bobby Centre’ opened in February 2009 and an additional 1,000 patients have been enrolled in other research studies, studying the biology and genetics of cancer to help develop and improve treatments.

Thousands of fans paid tribute to Sir Bobby on Twitter.

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble, who played for Sir Bobby at Newcastle, tweeted: “3 years ago today football lost a true legend in sir bobby robson. A great manager and a great man. Gone but never forgotten. RIP Sir Bobby.”