Sir Bobby Robson described as 'second dad' by sobbing Paul Gascoigne as world pays tribute to the footballing legend who's lost cancer fight

Few who were lucky enough to be present at Sir Bobby Robson's final public appearance will ever forget it.

Thirty three thousand men, women and children stood as one from the moment he was brought onto his beloved St James' Park in a wheelchair. on Sunday

Sir Bobby, who died yesterday from cancer aged 76, had a smile as wide as the Tyne as the standing ovation rang out around the ground where he had first fallen for the beautiful game, 70 years earlier with his coal miner dad Philip at his side.

Fighting cancer for the fifth and final time, the familiar figure in a fedora clenched his fist as if he'd just scored a goal.

But as the strains of Nessun Dorma filled the stadium the emotion was too much and his face crumpled into tears.

He said afterwards: "It was one of the best nights of my life. The reception I received was fantastic."

Typically, he thanked everyone for their "unbelievable generosity", but made no mention of himself, in the place he loved best right to the last, out there on the pitch, surrounded by people who loved the game that was his life.

Some of the biggest names from his illustrious career - Shearer, Gascoigne, Shilton, Beardsley, World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus - were in his final charity team selections, a fitting tribute to one of the great managers of modern times.

Sir Bobby had fought just to be there with them.

Yesterday, Paul Gascoigne was in tears as he spoke of his old friend and mentor at his home in Jesmond, Newcastle. He sobbed: "I have lost my second dad."

He added: "I'm speechless, devastated. I was like a son to him. I've been crying for three hours. It's just unbelievable. I'm going to miss him so badly."

Gazza believes Sir Bobby fought his last battle to be at Sunday's charity game. He said: "He kept himself alive for the match and I thought after it he might pass away after it. I'm emotionally drained. I just can't describe how much he meant to me." Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Sir Bobby's translator when he was manager of Porto in Portugal in 1994, described his

achievements as immortal.

The Inter Milan coach said: "He is one of those people who will never die. Not just for what he did in his career, for a victory more or a victory less, but for everything that he gave to those who like me were lucky to know him and walk by his side.

"My thoughts and embrace go to his loved ones."

Geordie legend Alan Shearer said Sir Bobby was loved by his former players and fellow managers alike.

He added: "He will be missed not only by people in football but from all walks of life. It's a very sad day for everyone who knew him. England boss Fabio Capello described Sir Bobby as "an

all-time great" who had earned his place in football history.

Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson paid an emotional tribute to a "great friend and wonderful individual".

He said: "In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby. He was a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed."

Sir Bobby's former assistant Don Howe said: "He lived his life by his own high standards."

England under 21 coach Stuart Pearce added: "I cannot think of anyone in the game who was held in higher esteem."

Manchester United hero Bryan Robson, Sir Bobby's England captain, said: "He called me his Captain Marvel and it stuck for the rest of my playing career. It made me very proud but it was only typical of the respect he earned from myself and the rest of the dressing room."

TV pundit and former England striker Gary Lineker, said: "He retained his enthusiasm right to the last days of his life."

Ex-Liverpool star Terry

McDermott said: "The fact there were 33,000 at his testimonial on Sunday says it all.

"He was loved wherever he went around the world."

PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor, said: "He was a great player, a fantastic manager and above all a wonderful human being." Sir Bobby died peacefully at his home in High Urpeth, Co Durham, surrounded by his family.

Lady Elsie, his wife of 55 years, and their sons Paul, Mark and Andrew, will hold a private funeral next week, followed by a service of thanksgiving.

As tributes continued to flood in from around the world, so did donations to the cancer foundation that bears Sir Bobby's name. Last night the total stood at £1.6million.

Meanwhile a sea of flowers and scarves began to fill St James' Park.

One huge banner seemed to sum up the mood. It said simply: "Sir Bobby Robson, a gentleman and a Geordie."