It was often said, some few years ago, that a man of his age would be better left in his garden, but you wouldn’t say that to Sir Bobby, who lived and breathed football.

The passing of Sir Bobby Robson is mourned by people all around the world. His records speak for himself – one of the very few Englishmen who have been successful managing abroad. It will be exceptionally hard – close to impossible – for another to enjoy that same success.

I may not have memories of the England team in the eighties, but I felt a deep affection for him when he was managing my second team Newcastle United. He brought the Toon from languishing at the bottom of the Premiership, to successive Champions League qualifications. The first one was memorable; after losing the first three matches in the first group stage, they won the next three games to qualify for the second group stage.

You could just see how passionate he was with the wonderful game. He continued to do media work after he was sacked by Newcastle, even as far as Asia. Even if you are not going to be a football manager, his passion and commitment to the game makes him a good role model for you to look up to.

The football world has lost not just a great manager but a great man. It would be fitting to appoint him as manager of Heaven XI now.

This football blog will return being active when the new football season commences.