STEVE GIBSON will join three Boro managers past and present at a sports dinner in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation later this month.

Friends from Sir Bobby's long and illustrious career in football will help him in his drive to beat cancer by joining him for the event at St James' Park.

As well as the Boro chairman, current boss Gareth Southgate plus ex-managers Steve McClaren and Bryan Robson will be in attendance.

Tickets are on sale now priced £75 per person for tables of 10 and include a drinks reception, five-course dinner and celebrity Question of Sport.

Sir Bobby, who is currently battling cancer for a fifth time, is dedicating this year to raising money urgently required to set up the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the new Northern Centre for Cancer Care, which will benefit patients from across the region.

The money raised will fund dedicated research facilities including a 12-bed unit with treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art laboratory and consulting facilities, all being constructed by the NHS Trust at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

Sir Bobby, 75, said: "It means a great deal to me to have the support of Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle football clubs and I'm extremely grateful to all three chairmen for offering to help.

"Given that I've battled cancer five times in the last 15 years it may sound strange to say I've been lucky. 

"But I know how important it is to detect this disease as early as possible and without the quality care and treatment I've had over the years I wouldn't be here today.

"Now I want to help give the people of this region the best Cancer Centre in Europe and once we've done that, we aim to keep going to fund other cancer projects in the North East.

"I'm extremely proud that The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre carries my name and we need to raise £500,000 before June to have it up and running by October.

"I know how passionate and generous football fans in the North East are and together we can all help the experts beat this disease."

Dress code for the dinner is lounge suits.  For more information contact the Newcastle United sales team on 0191 201 8525.

To make a donation or view messages of support, or for more information on the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.co.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG.

All donors will receive a personalised certificate and a letter of thanks from Sir Bobby.