THE new statue of Ipswich Town legend Bobby Robson is set to be unveiled by the man himself in June.It is to be placed near the South Stand, at the opposite end of the Cobbold Stand from the statue of Sir Alf Ramsey.

By Paul Geater

THE new statue of Ipswich Town legend Bobby Robson is set to be unveiled by the man himself in June.

It is to be placed near the South Stand, at the opposite end of the Cobbold Stand from the statue of Sir Alf Ramsey.

It has been made by the same sculptor – Town fan Sean Hedges-Quinn, known as Coach to his friends and colleagues.

The exact date of the unveiling has still to be decided – it depends on whether Robson is travelling to Japan and Korea as part of a television commentary team for the World Cup.

Although it will be put up in what is now the corner of a car park, when the Ipswich Village project is completed, it will be beside a new luxury hotel which is to be built there.

The name is not being added to the plinth until the last minute. There was speculation that Robson could be knighted in the New Year's Honours List for services to football – but that didn't happen.

However there is expected to be a bumper list for the Queen's Birthday Honours' list this year, which will also mark the Golden Jubilee.

If he is included on that list, the plinth would also reflect his new title.

"If he were to get the honour he deserves, Newcastle won the Premiership, and – of course – Town stay in the top flight, that would make it a wonderful unveiling," said Ipswich council chief executive James Hehir.

Work on a new multi-storey car park which will be available for use by Town fans for Saturday matches is due to start nearby soon.

The car park will be used for staff from TXU, whose new headquarters is taking shape in Russell Road, during the week – and for football fans at weekends.

And another building soon to take shape in the area is the new crown court, which is to be built opposite the Prince's Street fire station.