ALLAN Hunter is hoping that history repeats itself after watching his beloved Ipswich Town slammed 4-0 by Newcastle United - the club's worst-ever start to a campaign.

Elvin King

ALLAN Hunter is hoping that history repeats itself after watching his beloved Ipswich Town slammed 4-0 by Newcastle United - the club's worst-ever start to a campaign.

The genial Northern Irishman was one of Sir Bobby Robson's former stars who returned to the scene of their endeavours to honour the memory of the great man.

He admits that the reaction of Blues fans brought a tear to his eye, and looked ahead to better times for current manager Roy Keane and his men.

“When I joined Ipswich in September 1971 fans were calling for the head of Sir Bobby,” recalled Hunter, who joined the Blues when they were second from bottom, but ended up in 13th place.

“I was living in Manchester and read in the local paper after George Best had inspired Manchester United to a League Cup win that Sir Bobby's job was on the line.

“The next day I got a call from him and before the end of the week I had left Blackburn and become an Ipswich player.

“The rest is history as Sir Bobby slowly but surely built a side - out of virtually nothing I may add - to become one of the very best in Europe.

“There should be no panic now. The current manager has been given two years to complete the job in hand. You cannot blame him for the individual mistakes I witnessed on Saturday, but I certainly know what Sir Bobby would have said at the interval!”