Memorial garden plan for Sir Bobby

It will be created in Newcastle, close to St James's Park where he watched his heroes play as a child before returning, aged 66 in 1999, to become one of the club's best-loved managers.

After Sir Bobby, pictured, was diagnosed with cancer for a fifth time, he vowed to raise cash to fund the fight against the disease, and he lived to see a research centre in Newcastle open in his name last year.

Football's great and good paid tribute to the former Fulham, Ipswich and England manager when he died a year ago aged 76.

Sir Bobby's widow, Lady Robson, said the family was touched by the proposal. "I'm sure Bob would have approved of it too and its location, sitting in the shadow of St James's Park in the heart of the city, is very appropriate."