SIR Bobby Robson has been voted as one of the inaugural inductees into the European Hall of Fame.The Ipswich Town president, who was inducted into the National Football Museum's domestic Hall of fame in 2003, will officially receive the accolade at the prestigious ceremony in Liverpool, on October 8.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

SIR Bobby Robson has been voted as one of the inaugural inductees into the European Hall of Fame.

The Ipswich Town president, who was inducted into the National Football Museum's domestic Hall of fame in 2003, will officially receive the accolade at the prestigious ceremony in Liverpool, on October 8.

The selection panel were asked to deliberate on the greatest players and managers of all time in the English game on performance in Europe.

Sir Bobby, who won the UEFA Cup with Ipswich Town, will be joined by Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Brian Clough and Bob Paisley as managers, while Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, George Best and John Toshack receive the accolade as players, all of whom have contributed to the English game's success in Europe.

Guest of honour will be UEFA president Michel Platini who will become the first man from outside the domestic game to be inducted into the hall of fame, 25 years after he picked up the first of an unprecedented three European Footballer of the Year awards.

With Sir Bobby battling cancer it is not thought he will attend October's presentation in Liverpool is part of the city's European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Sir Bobby followed fellow ex-Ipswich Town manager Sir Alf Ramsey who was inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame in 2002 after being recognised for winning the World Cup with England in 1966, after securing the Blues first and only Division One championship title.

Speaking at being included into the hall of fame Sir Bobby said: I'm overwhelmed. This is a huge honour. To join such an illustrious group is fabulous.”

Although Sir Alf and Sir Bobby have both been inducted into the hall of fame there are, as yet, no Ipswich Town players included in the honoured list.

This year's domestic inductees that will join the illustrious names are Jimmy Armfield, David Beckham, Steve Bloomer, Thierry Henry, Paul Scholes, Ray Wilson and Emlyn Hughes.

The 2008 dinner and presentation will take place in London next Thursday, September 18.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk