Sir Bobby Robson received a knighthood in 2002

All but two of the Newcastle United manager's caps were stolen in a raid at his Ipswich home, leaving the 70-year-old distraught.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd and vice-chairman Douglas Hall have pledged their own cash as a reward for information leading to the return of the caps.

Sir Bobby, who took England to the World Cup semi-final in 1990, played 20 times for his country and scored four times.

In 1958 he represented England in the World Cup finals in Sweden.

He was manager of Ipswich in the 1970s and 1980s before taking over England.

He managed PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto and Barcelona before returning to the north-east of England.

Treasured caps

Mr Shepherd said: "We know how much these caps mean to Bobby. That is why we want to stump up the money."

Thieves targeted his home some 18 months ago but it was only recently when Sir Bobby went in search of his caps he discovered they had been taken.

The Football Association (FA) is looking into replacing the treasured caps, which Sir Bobby won between 1957 and 1962.

Suffolk Police have made no arrests over the crime and said inquiries were ongoing.

Auction experts refused to speculate on the value of the 12 stolen caps but they could be worth thousands of pounds.

Speaking about the theft Sir Bobby said: "I am distraught. They are the most valuable things I won in my career and I am appealing to anyone who may know anything to get in contact with me.

"The England caps are the most precious items of my football career. They mean a lot to me and they are irreplaceable."