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

In May, the Newcastle United and former England football manager is to be awarded an honorary Doctorate in Civil Law - the highest honour Newcastle University can bestow.

The County Durham-born soccer veteran will have his honorary degree conferred by the Chancellor of the university, former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten, on 9 May.

Sir Bobby, who will celebrate his 70th birthday almost three months earlier on 18 February, said he was delighted to accept the honour from another of Tyneside's "premier league organisation".

'Enormous respect'

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 of England.

"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.

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

Sir Bobby's managerial career began in Canada in 1967, as player-coach of Vancouver Royals.

Eventual champions

As a player he earned 20 full England caps and represented his country in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden having played for Fulham and West Bromwich Albion.

He returned to Fulham as manager in 1968, but was sacked in November that year and within two months was appointed to manage Ipswich Town.

He took England to two World Cups, where his team was beaten by the eventual champions on both occasions.

Bobby returned to PSV Eindhoven in 1998 before being offered the chance to return to England, and Newcastle United.