The afternoon of Monday September 21st saw an invited crowd around 1,000 people attend a service of remembrance for Sir Bobby Robson at Durham Cathedral.

Big screen beambacks to SJP (where around 2,000 attended) and Ipswich town centre enabled fans to follow proceedings, which included tributes from Gary Lineker (pictured), Sir Alex Ferguson and Bobby's former Fulham playing colleague and best man, Tom Wilson. 

Professor Ruth Plummer also spoke about Bobby's battle with cancer and the legacy of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre he helped to establish at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital. 

The Dean of Durham, Michael Sadgrove also spoke, as did Martin Wharton, Bishop of Newcastle - and SJP season ticket holder.

Lady Elsie Robson and sons Paul, Andrew and Mark were present, with Elsie saying afterwards that: 

"He also asked for The Unifying Poem to be read. He would have been thrilled by it all and proud that so many people were there and also came together to watch it at his former clubs."

Katherine Jenkins sang "Pie Jesu", Tenors Unlimited provided "Nessun Dorma" and there were communal renditions of “Praise my soul the king of heaven" and "Abide with Me." 
The congregation then exited to the strains of "Local Hero" played on the Cathedral organ.

Attendees at the service included:

Chris Hughton and most of the current NUFC squad, plus coaches Paul Barron, Richard Money and Alan Thompson, kit man Ray Thompson and various SJP staff members. 

Ex-NUFC players: 

Peter Beardsley, Frank Clark, Bobby Ferguson, Paul Gascoigne, Shay Given, Jermaine Jenas, Terry McDermott, Malcolm Macdonald, Bob Moncur, Stuart Pearce, Alan Shearer (both pictured), Gary Speed.

Ex-NUFC managers, coaches & officials: 

Sam Allardyce, John Carver, Jack Charlton Freddie Fletcher, David Geddis, Sir John Hall, Gordon Milne, Nigel Pearson, Freddy Shepherd, Mick Wadsworth. 



Football-related: 

Frank Arnesen, Len Ashurst, Kevin Beattie, Trevor Brooking, Phil Brown, Steve Bruce, Terry Butcher, Fabio Capello, Bobby Charlton, Sven Goran Eriksson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Eric Gates, Steve Gibson, Pep Guardiola (Barcelona), Roy Hodgson, Don Howe, Allan Hunter, Roy Keane, Juan Laporta (Barcelona), Gary Lineker, Lord Mawhinney, Lord MacLaurin, Mick Mills, Sammy Lee, Paul Mariner, Mick McCarthy, Steve McClaren, Lawrie McMenemy, David Moyes, Russell Osman, Niall Quinn, Harry Redknapp, Peter Reid, Davev Richards, Brian Robson, Richard Scudamore, David Seaman,  David Sheepshanks, Steve Staunton, Mike Summerbee, Gordon Taylor, Graham Taylor, Peter Taylor, Lord Triesman, Stan Valcx (PSV), Terry Venables, John Wark, Howard Wilkinson.

Also present: 

Ant, Steve Cram, Dec, Brendan Foster, Tim Healy, Des Lynam, John Motson.

Noted absentees: 

Mike Ashley, Kevin Keegan, Derek Llambias, Jose Mourinho. 

From The Times Court & Social pages:

Lord Triesman represented Prince William of Wales.

The Very Rev Michael Sadgrove, dean, officiated and bade welcome, assisted by Canon David Kennedy, who led the prayers. Canon Robert Spence read the lesson and the Right Rev Martin Wharton, Bishop of Newcastle, gave a reflection. The Bishop of Jarrow pronounced the blessing.

Mr Paul Hayward read The Unifying Poem.

The Cathedral Choir was conducted by Canon James Lancelot, Master of the Choristers and Organist, and Mr Keith Wright played the organ. The Last Post was played by Mr Tom Glendinning, senior Lay Clerk.

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, the Lord Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear, the Mayor of Ipswich, the Mayor of Durham, the chairman of Durham County Council, the deputy leader Newcastle Council attended.