Bobby Robson: I'm dying

BOBBY ROBSON has won countless battles during a career which has earned him a permanent place in the nation’s hearts.
But his latest fight, sadly, will be his last.

English football’s favourite knight has admitted that a fifth bout of cancer affecting his lungs will be the one which sends him to his grave.

He knows his time is coming to an end in a matter of months.

Yet his legacy will never die. No one would ever let that happen.

Sir Bobby has taken on and outwitted many a top-notch coach and team in his glorious life.

From memorably leading Ipswich to domestic and European triumph to taking England unforgettably to the brink of World Cup glory, Robson knows what combat means.

Images of his jigs of touchline delight at Italia 90 will never fail to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

But taking on the illness that has hit him so cruelly once again is beyond him. Specialists have told the 75-year-old to prepare for the worst.Typically, he will fight until the bitter end.

Emotionally, he revealed to SunSport: 𨧻 have accepted what they have told me and I am determined to make the most of what time I have left. I have been fortunate to survive this long. It is thanks to my doctors and their dedication.

岞y condition is described as static and has not altered since my last bout of chemotherapy.

孏hey have arrested the growth of the tumours on my lungs and I have my next scan shortly.

𨧻 am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go sometime and I have enjoyed every minute.

𨧻 don’t even think about it and my biggest problem today was unrelated, just old-fashioned laryngitis.?Caring, charismatic and with time for anyone, Robson is loved by all.

He may have been struggling with cancer for 17 years but continues to spread his warmth over everyone.

Donating a ?00,000 cheque on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for a new dedicated cancer research centre in his beloved Newcastle yesterday simply said everything about the man.

Troubled times? The worst. You will not find him, though, shutting himself away in despair.

He added: 𨧻 am not going to sit around at home thinking about what might or might not happen.

𨧻 have always found it difficult to turn down good causes and invitations from people I know.

岞y family and close friends have always said I should say ‘No’ more often and now is no different