Work to replace Sir Bobby Robson art completed

The old image was on the side of the stadium for 16 years and needed a fresh look, the club says.

A painted image of Sir Bobby Robson holding a trophy on the side of Portman Road stadium. The image is painted in blue and white.
Work to replace the image of Sir Bobby Robson on Portman Road has finished [Luke Deal/BBC]

Work to replace the image of football legend Sir Bobby Robson on the side of Ipswich Town FC's stadium has finished.

The artwork of the former England manager has been on the Portman Road stand since 2009, but the club said it was in need of a "fresh look".

Tom Wright, from the Hudson Group - a private company which provides signage for the club - worked to replace the image which he said was an "absolute honour".

A picture of Sir Bobby lifting the UEFA Cup, which he won with Ipswich in 1981, has replaced the old work.

A wider view of Portman Road stadium with the new image of Sir Bobby Robson on the side of it. A statue can be seen to the right of the image. People walk near the stadium. A white van can be seen parked outside.
Work initially started on Monday and was completed on Friday [Luke Deal/BBC]

Sir Bobby was in charge of Ipswich from 1969 to 1982 before going on to manage the England national team for eight years and then other club sides including Barcelona and Newcastle United.

"I think the [fans] are going to love it," Wright has said.

"If you're a supporter of a certain age, Sir Bobby brought so much success to the football club.

"He's an icon and walking down to Portman Road it'll be the first thing you see, it'll be great."

The old image of Sir Bobby Robson's face on the side of Portman Road stadium.
The old image of Sir Bobby had been there for 16 years [Alice Cunningham/BBC]

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Category: General Sports