SIR Bobby Robson's achievements in the university of life are to win him another title.In May, he is to be awarded an honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Newcastle University.

SIR Bobby Robson's achievements in the university of life are to win him another title.

In May, he is to be awarded an honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Newcastle University.

Prof John Burn, the university's Public Orator, said: "Honorary degrees often acknowledge the work of academics across the world but Sir Bobby has attended the university of life and has done great things for the North-East. We consider him to be a prince among men.

He is regarded with enormous respect across the whole of football and has shown how you can succeed and still be a good person."

Prof Burn, who will officiate at the ceremony to honour Sir Bobby, said his influence had spread beyond football.

"Football is very important to the image of the city and when I am on the other side of the world and mention where I come from people always mention Newcastle United," he said.

"But Bobby will continue to be recognised as one of the great sons of the North-East after he has left football management.

"He is of huge importance to the club and the club is of huge importance to the city.

"Bobby is a very bright man who speaks three languages and is a fine ambassador for the region."

Prof Burn said that even members of the university's honorary degree committee who were Sunderland fans had agreed on the award.

United's County Durham-born manager will have his honorary degree conferred by the Chancellor of the university, former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten, on Friday May 9.

Sir Bobby, who will celebrate his 70th birthday almost three months earlier on February 18, said: "I am delighted to accept this honour from Newcastle University, who are not only Newcastle United's closest neighbour in the city, but also another of this region's premier league organisations."