Sir Bobby Robson was not only a person who graced the managerial profession, he quite simply graced mankind.

Bobby's knighthood recognised his outstanding contribution as a player, coach and then manager who enjoyed success with some of greatest clubs in Europe. There has never been a finer sporting ambassador; his achievements in winning titles in Holland with PSV Eindhoven and in Portugal with FC Porto as well as helping to rejuvenate an ailing Barcelona team in Spain are unequalled by anybody from these shores. And he will long be remembered as an under-rated manager of the England team who came closest to emulating the feat of Sir Alf Ramsey in winning the World Cup in 1966.

Bobby, a former Life Vice-President of the LMA, began his managerial career in Canada in 1967 as player-coach of Vancouver Royals. As a player, he earned 20 England caps, scored 4 goals and represented his country in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden having played for Fulham and West Bromwich Albion. As a manager, he returned to Fulham for a brief spell in 1969 before moving to Portman Road where he stayed with Ipswich Town from 1969 until 1982. During that time, Bobby famously won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981.

Bobby took on the mantle of England Team Manger in 1982, steering England to two World Cups, losing out in the quarter finals to the infamous ‘hand of God' in Mexico in 1986 and in 1990, to West Germany on penalties in the semi-final.

He then followed with spells at PSV Eindhoven, winning the Dutch League in 1992, Sporting Lisbon in 1992-93, FC Porto from 1994-1996, guiding them to victory in the Cup, the Super Cup and League Championship, before moving to FC Barcelona from 1995 -1997. Bobby's success continued. In 1997 Barcelona won the European Cup Winners Cup, the Spanish Cup and the Super Cup and finished runners up in the league.

Bobby returned to his hometown in 1999 becoming manager of his beloved Newcastle United, resurrecting the Magpies fortunes. During his time at Newcastle, Bobby was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, received an Honorary Doctorate from Newcastle University, was made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Newcastle and in 2007 received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.

The LMA is proud to have honoured Sir Bobby by inducting him into the Hall of Fame in 2008.