Beattie backs Sir Bobby honour

IPSWICH Town's greatest ever player today backed calls for his former manager to be given a knighthood in the Queen's Jubilee Honours List.

Kevin Beattie, who has been voted the greatest by Town fans in several polls, backed calls for Bobby Robson to become Sir Bobby in June.

"I have been saying this for years – nobody deserves the honour more than him for all he's done in the game," said Star columnist Kevin.

"He did so much for Ipswich and then for England and the clubs he managed in Europe – and now he's returned home and he's a folk hero back in his home city of Newcastle," he said.

"I never call him Bobby, I always called him gaffer or boss – he made me the player I was and he's still doing that today," Kevin added.

He was also surprised that his former boss had never featured on the television show "This is Your Life."

"When you look at some of the people they have had on there like Vinny Jones you do wonder why they've never done the gaffer – he would love it," Kevin added.

And the campaign has also received the backing of Bobby's old employers, Ipswich Town.

"He has been a tremendous ambassador for English football, both at this club, in Europe, and as England team manager," said club chairman David Sheepshanks.

"He thoroughly deserves any honour that comes his way."

Bobby's Newcastle team are currently second in the Premiership and the whole team – not just the boss and his injured star Kieron Dyer – will be hoping for a Town win against Liverpool on Saturday.

He still has a home in Ipswich, and he will be back here in July to unveil a statue to him outside the Greene King stand at Portman Road.

Space has been left on the plinth for "Sir Bobby Robson" to be carved if he is given the honour a month before the official unveiling.

nThe Evening Star's website has set up an online poll giving you the chance to have your say on whether Bobby should get a knighthood.

Cast your vote at www.eveningstar.co.uk