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£2,600 raised by fans at match

Dec 31 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

NUSC arranged an impromptu Sir Bobby Robson day celebrations, prior to the home game against Liverpool

THE day of celebrations for Sir Bobby Robson saw fans raise more than £2,600 in an hour for his cancer charity. The cash was donated by both Newcastle and Liverpool fans before the teams met at St James’s Park on Sunday.

With Sir Bobby in attendance, inside the ground banners were unveiled in his honour, and even at 5-1 down, chants of “Robson Wonderland” and “Stand up if you love Bobby” could be heard raining down from the Leazes corner.

The day had been organised by Newcastle United Supporters Club, which yesterday said the people of Tyneside and Merseyside had every reason to be proud of themselves.

Spokesman Michael Teasdale said: “The real story of the day took place outside the ground before kickoff.

“Eight individuals from the Newcastle United Supporters Club stood rattling buckets in the rain for an hour before kick-off.

“In the space of an hour, eight volunteers from the NUSC had taken no less than £2,626.32 – a quite breathtaking achievement and a measure of the love and generosity that people feel, no matter the climate, for the name and the legend of Sir Bobby Robson.” Mr Teasdale said one group of fans raised an additional £220 via the football365 website.