Pickering Town have added their memories to the multitude of tributes that have poured in following the death of Sir Bobby Robson.

The KoolSport NCEL Premier Division side have recalled the day the former England manager put their modest Mill Lane ground on the world map.

Robson died last week aged 76 after a long battle with cancer.

Almost 21 years ago, he had accepted an invite to be guest of honour at Pickering's centenary dinner at the Forest and Dale Hotel.

Keith Sales, the then Pikes secretary, told the Gazette & Herald: "I wrote to Bobby Robson, then the England manager and a few weeks after the letter was sent he rang me and quizzed me about the Pikes, eventually stopping me mid-answer to say he would come along."

Robson was to leave his Ipswich home and take in the First Division game between Sheffield Wednesday and Spurs on the Saturday before going to Pickering and returning home the following day.

That match was switched to Sunday for live television coverage but Robson still went to Pickering, going to the game on his way back south.

Sales said: "At the dinner, Bobby entertained the 120 guests with an excellent 20-minute speech.

"He said how sorry he felt for then Pikes manager Nigel Tate as his side had lost a second round League Cup game that afternoon after extra time but that he could quickly put things right within the week.

"What nobody knew at Pickering was that in the following week's Shoot magazine, which was sold worldwide at the time, Robson had given an interview and allowed the use of his diary to be used, in which Pickering Town received several mentions.

"He wouldn't accept a penny in expenses and certainly no fee - just to make sure all the night's money went towards Pickering Town FC.

"He was a true gentleman and friend to the Pikes."