FA to honour Sir Bobby Robson with National Football Day

Jan 16, 2013 9:50:00 AM

The country's governing body will announce the national event named in honour of the former England manager at its celebratory gala on Wednesday evening

The Football Association is set to honour former England manager Sir Bobby Robson as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday.

The association will be holding an event in central London on Wednesday evening, to which every living former England manager is invited, with the centrepiece expected to be the naming of a National Football Day in honour of Sir Bobby.

The aim of “Sir Bobby Robson Day” will be the advertising and promotion of grassroots football, and will incorporate numerous clubs of all levels. It will take place on August 10 of this year, in concurrence with the beginning of the 2013-14 season.

Sir Bobby, who died in 2009, was one of the national team’s most popular and successful managers, taking the Three Lions to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup.

His widow, Elsie, has not held back in expressing her support of the event.

"I'm thrilled that the FA is involving my family," she said. "Bob launched his cancer charity [the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation] in 2008 and right from the start the FA has been on hand to support us.

“He'd have loved this and I think it's very fitting as it will be a day celebrating and encouraging grassroots football.

“Bob never lost his own boyish enthusiasm for the game no matter what was happening off the field."