AMID these bleak economic times, Sir Bobby Robson’s wonderful appeal to raise money for cancer research has been a true cause for celebration.

It is hard to imagine anyone other than Sir Bobby raising more than £1.2m through the sheer force of his personality and the affection he commands, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Yesterday’s accouncement that he is to reunite his 1990 World Cup players with their German opponents is an inspirational idea, which will ensure that the appeal reaches even greater heights.

It would have been easy for Sir Bobby, who is fighting cancer for the fifth time, to have taken the view that he had done enough when he broke through the £1m mark.

But the fact that he continues to drive the appeal forward speaks volumes about his character and determination to help others.

The memories of England’s semifinal defeat against their arch rivals remain fresh. Tears from a young Paul Gascoigne when he realised a booking would bar him from the final, Chris Waddle coming agonisingly close to winning it for England, and then the almost inevitable despair of a penalty shoot-out defeat, with misses by Stuart Pearce and then Waddle.

Bringing those memories back to St James’ Park will surely mean a full house at the famous old stadium on July 26.

It is always nice to beat Germany – no matter what the circumstances may be – and there is unfinished business here.

But the crowds will turn out primarily because of their love and respect for a great man.