THERE has never been much love lost between the fans of Ipswich Town and Norwich City.As two of footballs greatest rivals their derby matches are fiercely contested and the success of a season can often be measured on who comes out on top.

THERE has never been much love lost between the fans of Ipswich Town and Norwich City.

As two of football's greatest rivals, their derby matches are fiercely contested and the success of a season can often be measured on who comes out on top.

But, in an age when football is becoming an extremely serious business, it's reassuring to know that there are still some things that the sets of supporters can agree on.

It is a true measure of his stature within the beautiful game that a number of Canaries have posted messages of support on a local website for former Blues boss Sir Bobby Robson.

Sir Bobby, 74, received a lifetime achievement award and a standing ovation at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday night.

Following an emotional speech, a number of Norwich fans have forgotten their differences with their East Anglian neighbours aside to praise a true footballing great.

Writing on the Pink Un website, one message, from Yellow Rider, reads: “Putting aside local rivalries, it would be churlish in the extreme not to salute the magnificent career that Robson has had in football spanning 50 or more decades.

“His enthusiasm for life and for the sport has been inspirational and I wonder whether we will see the likes of him again?

“His period in charge at Portaloo Road (sic) saw ITFC reach sustained heights that we (unfortunately) have never matched.

“Year after year of European football, regular finishes in the top three or four of the old Div One, a UEFA Cup title and FA Cup in 1978 not to mention a whole string of international players.

“Ipswich fans still live off the memories of those days in egotistical fashion and who can blame them. I would as well if it had been us!”

ZipperLeftFoot added: “He was a decent enough player but it is his record as a manager that is truly phenomenal.

“Most unusually for any British manager he achieved this both in England and in Europe, creating successful team after successful team irrespective of budget, league style or player personalities, unearthing gems of players and coaches along the way and having a remarkable knack of getting those players performing beyond their natural ability.

“Most impressive of all is the way he conducted himself - a true gent and I can't think of a more fitting candidate for a lifetime achievement award.”

Meanwhile, SouthamptonCanary said Sir Bobby is a “true gent” and “one of the great football men of this world.”

Inch_high continued: “Regardless of Robsons (sic) club history he is one of football's nice guys and always had my respect.”