Capello aids Sir Bobby's cancer fight

Sir Bobby Robson was joined by Fabio Capello for the launch of the £500,000 research centre in the former England manager's name.

Capello handed over £75,000 from the Football Association, which is on top of £1.2million already raised for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

Sir Bobby, 76, was diagnosed with cancer for a fifth time a year ago and has dedicated much of that time to fighting the disease. He was asked to try to raise £500,000 to equip a specialist trials centre and that target was reached in just seven weeks.

Sir Bobby made a 15-minute speech at the launch about his battle, the inspiration he has been given from meeting fellow patients and his pride in seeing one of the leading cancer centres in Europe open today.

He joked about his fight since he was diagnosed last March, saying: "I have had longer than a League manager."

Capello remembered when they had been on opposing sides but added: "Now we are here together to fight against cancer."