When Sir Bobby Robson returned to St James' Park in July 2009, thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate one of English football's most beloved managers. By this point, Sir Bobby was gravely ill, having battled cancer for years. But despite his deteriorating health, there was no chance he was missing a match organised in his honour. The charity event, raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, brought together many of the players from England's unforgettable 1990 World Cup campaign. England against Germany. Nineteen years after that heartbreaking semi-final. Peter Shilton, Peter Beardsley, David Platt and Des Walker were among those returning to the pitch. And of course, Paul Gascoigne was there too. Alan Shearer also took part, despite not being involved in Italia '90. For Shearer, it was particularly special, having always credited Robson with helping revive his Newcastle career. But the most emotional moment came when Sir Bobby appeared. Sitting in a wheelchair, he was taken around the pitch, removing his hat to acknowledge the thousands of supporters who had come to see him. He greeted the players one by one as the crowd began singing. “Walking in a Robson Wonderland.” Then the familiar music from Italia '90 echoed around St James' Park. And when Nessun Dorma began playing, it brought back memories of that extraordinary summer. Gazza's tears. Chris Waddle's missed penalty. England coming agonisingly close to a World Cup final. But this time, nineteen years later, England finally beat Germany. Sir Bobby left St James' Park that evening exhausted, but delighted to have shared one final special occasion with the football community. Nobody knew for certain that they had just witnessed his farewell. But five days later, the devastating news arrived. “It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.” “He died very peacefully at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.” Sir Bobby was 76. In the days that followed, supporters began gathering outside St James' Park to pay their respects. First hundreds arrived. Then thousands. Flowers, scarves, football shirts, photographs and handwritten messages covered the ground outside the stadium. The queues stretched along Strawberry Place and beyond Shearer's Bar. But perhaps the most remarkable sight was the collection of football shirts left in his memory. Newcastle shirts stood alongside Ipswich and England shirts. There were even Sunderland and Middlesbrough shirts among the tributes. It didn't matter what club you supported, everyone who would normally be divided by fierce rivalries had come together to honour an absolute legend of the game. RIP Sir Bobby Robson❤️