A CHILDHOOD friend of Sir Bobby Robson is looking to sell a pair of football boots believed to have been owned by the former England, Barcelona and Newcastle United manager when he was seven.

Thomas Robson, 85, grew up in Langley Park, County Durham, playing football with Sir Bobby and another talented youngster, Billy Bell.

Mr Robson, who now lives in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, said Bell and Sir Bobby went to play for Fulham together when they were both 16.

But while Sir Bobby stayed and began an illustrious career which ended with him becoming one of the best-loved names in world football, Bell returned to the North-East.

Bell, who eventually became manager of the Wallsend Boys Club, is believed to have been given the box-fresh boots by Sir Bobby to give to his son.

The size two boots, believed to have been bought for a seven-year-old Sir Bobby by his parents, were then given to Thomas Robson by Bell.

Mr Robson said: “They are beautiful boots, but were never worn.

“They’re very heavy, heavier than your shoes today.

“If David Beckham had to play in them, he would be worn out after a few minutes, they’re smashing boots.

“I’ve been offered money for them before and said no, but now, if I was offered a decent price, I would part with them.”

Mr Robson also had a brush with another great name in the sport, John Charles, the Welsh captain who was the first Briton to play in Italy when he signed for Juventus in 1957.

He said: “A team from Catterick Garrison came for a practice game against Evenwood while I was the club’s secretary and one of them was John Charles, although I didn’t recognise him until I saw him in his football strip.

“He was a huge man. He headed the ball from one half of the field to the other.”

Before his death from cancer in July 2009, Sir Bobby formed the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which has raised more than £2.5m to help cancer patients across the North-East.