New Mint medal honours Sir Bobby

The medal's reverse features the clubs Sir Bobby managed or played for

Legendary football manager Sir Bobby Robson is to be honoured with a special medal commissioned by the Royal Mint.

The Royal Mint said the honour was normally reserved for members of the Royal Family but it was right to extend this to Sir Bobby, who died in July.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the medal will be donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation cancer charity.

Lady Robson, Sir Bobby's widow, said the family had been "overwhelmed" by kind words from all over the world.

She said: "Bobby's thirst for life was unquenchable and I'm sure he would be delighted to know that his foundation will benefit as a result of sales of this beautiful medal."

One side of the medal features a portrait of Sir Bobby and the reverse features the clubs he managed or played for, adorned with football scarves.

Traditionally the Royal Mint marks the passing of prominent members of the Royal Family in this way. But we believe it right to extend the honour to Sir Bobby Dave Knight, director of Commemorative Coin at the Royal Mint

The former England, Ipswich and Newcastle manager from Langley Park, County Durham, died at his home on 31 July, aged 76, following a long and public battle against cancer.

So far the Bobby Robson Foundation has raised more than £2m towards the early detection and treatment of cancer.

Footballer Gary Lineker, who played for England in two World Cups under Sir Bobby, said he felt "very proud" to have played for the only football manager to be honoured by the Royal Mint.

Dave Knight, director of Commemorative Coin at the Royal Mint, said: "Traditionally the Royal Mint marks the passing of prominent members of the Royal Family in this way.

"But we believe it right to extend the honour to Sir Bobby.

"The genuine emotion felt throughout the nation at his passing, not just amongst football fans, demonstrated a degree of heartfelt affection for a man who achieved iconic status throughout the United Kingdom."