Ipswich to unveil Sir Bobby stand

Sir Bobby Robson managed Ipswich Town for 13 years

Ipswich Town have announced that they will rename the North Stand at Portman Road in honour of their former manager Sir Bobby Robson, who died last month.

The club hopes to unveil the Sir Bobby Robson Stand at a ceremony on Saturday, 26 September before the game against his hometown club, Newcastle United.

Chief executive Simon Clegg said there had been many suggestions from supporters about a permanent memorial.

"The overwhelming majority wanted the Sir Bobby Robson Stand," he said.

"With the North Stand being seen as the heart of the club and of the fan base, the fans feel this is the right stand to be renamed."

Sir Bobby's widow Lady Elsie and her family are due to attend the game.

Clegg added: "We have been in close communication with Lady Elsie over a range of issues but she was delighted to hear that we wanted to honour Sir Bobby in this way.

"She is hugely supportive and she is very hopeful that both she and a number of her family members will be here to see the stand opened against Newcastle, a club that was obviously also very close to Sir Bobby's heart."