THE sporting world united last night to congratulate football stalwart Bobby Robson on receiving a knighthood in today's Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The hugely popular Newcastle United boss, who was rewarded for services to soccer, joins Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Tom Finney, Sir Stanley Matthews and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as a football knight.

Last night, even Sir Bobby's Argentinian nemesis, Diego Maradona, offered his congratulations.

The Cuban-based footballer, who forced Robson's England team out of the Mexico World Cup finals with his infamous "hand of God" goal in 1986, has been invited to Newcastle to attend a star-studded night in Sir Bobby's honour.

It is believed that Maradona, who was barred from commentating on this year's World Cup finals because of his drug abusing past, is likely to accept the invitation to the event, organised by the Variety Club, in September.

Last night, Sir Bobby, 69, who was made a CBE in 1990, said he was delighted to receive recognition for his long footballing career.

He is spending his first day as a knight working on ITV1's coverage of England's World Cup second round tie with Denmark.

And he used the occasion to send a warm message of support to David Beckham and his men.

Sir Bobby said: "I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive this honour.

"This is a recognition not only of my career, but of the wonderful people in the world of football with whom I have worked for more than 50 years.

"It comes on a day when our minds are focused on our national team and I wish them the very best of luck for the remainder of the tournament."

The knighthood crowns a triumphant career for one of soccer's wisest and most popular figures. As manager of Newcastle United - back among his North-East roots - he has brought Champions League football to St James's Park next season.

Jack Charlton, a friend of Sir Bobby for nearly 50 years, also paid tribute to the Sacriston-born star. He said: "It is great because of all the work he has done for football.

"I have known Bobby since we were in our twenties. I am sure everyone in Newcastle will be delighted."

Newcastle United captain and ex-England star Alan Shearer was thrilled that his boss had been honoured.

"I was absolutely delighted to hear the news," he said. "I have the utmost respect for Bobby as a man and as a manager and this is no less than he deserved after such a distinguished career."

Prime Minister Tony Blair, a Magpies supporter, also offered his congratulations to the man who rescued his favourite team from relegation. A spokesman said: "He is absolutely delighted at Bobby's honour."

Freddy Shepherd, chairman of Newcastle United, said the honour was richly deserved.

"In my view there is no one quite like Sir Bobby in football and we are all immensely delighted for the elder statesman of world football," he said.

The Birthday Honours List also includes a knighthood for veteran Rolling Stone superstar Mick Jagger. The 58-year-old rocker who recently jokingly complained on TV about missing out on royal recognition, said he was delighted at the news.

Other household names honoured include playwright Harold Pinter (Companion of Honour), Poirot actor David Suchet (OBE), and drag artiste Danny La Rue (OBE).

London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe gets an MBE as do the Scotland's gold-winning curling team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Meanwhile, Downing Street moved quickly to damp down threatened criticism over a knighthood for Indian food entrepreneur and millionaire Gulam Noon, who has given more than £100,000 to the Labour Party.

The Prime Minister's spokesman insisted the donations had not influenced the award, which was approved by the all-party honours scrutiny committee. Its members agreed the tycoon deserved the honour for his services to business