IPSWICH people will be able to pay tribute to soccer legend Sir Bobby Robson when his memorial service is shown live on big screens on the Cornhill.In what is sure to be an emotional occasion, the borough council has received special permission to transmit the service from Durham Cathedral on September 21.

Graham Dines

IPSWICH people will be able to pay tribute to soccer legend Sir Bobby Robson when his memorial service is shown live on big screens on the Cornhill.

In what is sure to be an emotional occasion, the borough council has received special permission to transmit the service from Durham Cathedral on September 21.

Sky Television, which is screening the programme, the Football Association, and Ipswich Town have all given the go-ahead for the Ipswich open air screening, which will give football supporters in the town the opportunity to share in the event.

Ipswich Town are supplying film material highlighting Sir Bobby's life at Portman Road and these will be run from noon before the live broadcast from the cathedral starts at 2pm.

Liz Harsant, leader of the Borough Council and a long-time season ticket-holder at Portman Road, will be introducing the event.

“I am sure there will be a great deal of interest - Sir Bobby was not only a national hero, he was an Ipswich one and will always be a legend here,” said Mrs Harsant.

“We are grateful to the FA and to the football club for their support and I hope many people turn up and pay their respects to this great man.

“We thought it was fitting to hold the event on the Cornhill as this was the scene of the FA Cup celebration and the granting of the Freedom of the Borough to Sir Bobby just last year.”

Sir Bobby lost his long battle with cancer on July 31, dying at his home in County Durham. He took over the reins at Portman Road in 1969 and guided Ipswich Town to FA Cup glory in 1978 and UEFA Cup victory in 1981.

He left Ipswich in 1982 to take charge of the England national side. He was knighted in 2002.