LEGENDS of North-East football were last night honoured at star-studded charity event at St James’ Park.

The Newcastle United Foundation announced the first inductees to its Hall of Fame.

Former Newcastle and England boss Sir Bobby Robson became the first manager to be inducted and his widow, Lady Elsie, was there to collect the award.

She said: “I’m extremely proud. His career took him all over the world, and he was lucky to work at some wonderful football clubs, but Newcastle was always his team.

"It was his father’s team too and he was thrilled to become its manager.

“My thanks go to everyone who voted for him."

As well as Sir Bobby, the Hall of Fame’s first entrants included five players, two teams and two community champions.

Those who had topped a poll of supporters on the club’s official website were announced by host and Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling.

The first players to be inducted include three of the club’s four highest-ever goal scorers, all former wearers of its iconic number nine shirt, with a place for record goal scorer Alan Shearer and posthumous honours for Jackie Milburn and Hughie Gallacher.

Shearer said: “Getting an award is a great honour but we’re all here for the charity to raise as much money as possible. There are some great guys here tonight and some people who’ve worked very hard for Newcastle United."

The other former players inducted were the Magpies’ current football development manager Peter Beardsley, who had two spells on Tyneside as a player, and Fairs Cup-winning captain and defender Bob Moncur.

He said: “The nice thing about it is that it’s been done by the public.

"Most players take a lot out of the game, but a lot of the players here tonight want to put something back in and that is why they are here tonight to help the foundation and the community.”

The first inducted teams were confirmed as the 1950-55 side which won the FA Cup in 1951, 1952 and 1954 and the famed ‘Entertainers’ team from 1992 to 1997.

The Foundation Champion Award went to ten year-old Newcastle fan Mikey Buchan, who suffers from severely impaired vision.

The Foundation Community Award was picked up by the lead coaching tutor at Northumberland FA, Barney Jones, recognising his contribution to grassroots football in the North-East.

All funds raised at the event will go to the Newcastle United Foundation, which supports more than 38,000 disadvantaged children and families in the North-East every year.

Newcastle United Hall of Fame Inductees:

MANAGER

Sir Bobby Robson

PLAYERS

Alan Shearer

Peter Beardsley

Bob Moncur

Jackie Milburn

Hughie Gallacher 

TEAMS

‘The Entertainers’ (1992-97)

‘THE Fifties’ (1950-55)

FOUNDATION CHAMPION AWARD

Mikey Buchan

FOUNDATION COMMUNITY AWARD

Barney Jones