Sir Bobby Robson, 1933-2009: A personal tribute from his 'Captain Marvel'

This is probably the saddest column I have ever had to write.

The news that Sir Bobby Robson is no longer with us will not sink in for some time.

He always seemed to be there no matter whatever that vile disease continuously threw at him.

I was at St James' Park last Sunday for his final public appearance.

As he was wheeled on to the pitch to be introduced to the players and officials, it was obvious that the Gaffer was very weak, yet proudly determined to thank everyone.

He did not want to let anyone down on the night - typical of the man who had been shoddily sacked by Newcastle (five years later they were relegated as a result of his departure) and humiliated by the FA in 1990, despite taking England further in the World Cup than any manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.

I contacted the Gaffer on Monday to see if I could pop in to see him, but he was too tired from his exertions a few hours before, though he left me a message that still brings a lump to my throat when I listen to it again.

While his passing should be respected with the utmost dignity, as I am sure it will be, I will look back on my relationship with him with pride, gratitude and humour.

Because Sir Bobby would always bring a smile to my face, even if his name was mentioned when he was not in the room.

At Ipswich and with England, we shared some special memories that were serious at times, but also contained some unbelievably funny moments.

He made football fun and enjoyable because he made you believe you were special and the world's best player.

He was humourous when he never meant to be - he once introduced the legendary Australian painter and singer of Two Little Boys as "Roy Harris" - but we all loved him because it was the sort of mistake your grandfather would innocently make.

Yet in football itself he rarely made an error in judgment, whether with tactics or with players.

Remarkably, he only brought in 14 new players to Ipswich in 13 years, despite the Suffolk club's success both domestically and in Europe.

His foresight in setting up a brilliant youth structure ensured that the squad was always supplemented by exciting and talented youngsters from all over Britain.

Those of us who graduated from the original Ipswich Academy all have wonderful recollections of our time with the Gaffer as he linked everyone and everything at the club.

He was at the side of my hospital bed in 1982 when I needed 19 units of blood following a broken nose and two operations. And he was on the shoulder of Doc Crane in Sweden 20 years ago as the England doctor inserted the stitches to that infamous head wound.

It only needed seven, but the Gaffer told the press that there were at least 22.

He loved passion and commitment because it reflected his own personality and he expected every player to show those attributes in every match. Even when his body was becoming weak, his love for the game still shone brightly in his eyes.

I once said that Sir Bobby selected me for England because I used to walk his dog when we were near neighbours in Ipswich.

That was not true, but those who knew him well will forever know that the boss is walking beside them now.

Gaffer, football will never be the same without you.