FOOTBALL legend Sir Bobby Robson has officially opened the sports study centre at Worcester College of Technology.

The former England manager, who famously led England to the 1990 World Cup semi-final, visited the Deansway campus for a brief ceremony followed by a question and answer session with students.

The sports study centre is the latest such complex dedicated to a specific subject at the college and includes fitness and coaching demonstration areas.

It is also used as the education facility by the Worcester City Football Club football development programme, a two-year course aimed at producing talent for the Blue Square North side.

Current St George's Lane first-team talents Matt Dinsmore, Devon Smith and Craig Brown and are all part of the scheme and Sir Bobby believes it has an important role to play.

The 75-year-old former Barcelona and Newcastle boss, who has been battling cancer is recent years, said: "I thought it was a good concept, a nice project, something that in a way has not been part of my life because my life was many, many years ago and we didn't have sports study centres in those days.

"I spent my life just playing football in the back streets.

"We didn't have leisure centres and football pitches. I played with a piece of coal and a tennis ball in the back streets so it's a different world now but it's a better world now.

"It's a great learning programme and a great facility and it's for the betterment of youth so I appreciate that very much.

"Most clubs now have built their own academies trying to produce great players from these academies through training and preparation and education so in a way this is kind of an extension to that."

College Principal Chris Morecroft said: "We're absolutely delighted that Sir Bobby has been able to officially open our new sports centre.

"We are truly grateful for all that he has done for us, especially as he has limited availability because of his well known health problems."

Student Tom Sivell said: "We're on a football course and to be in the presence of someone like Sir Bobby is just fantastic, it's amazing. He's created players that are legends like Paul Gascoigne."

Josh Wheeler, also on the course, added: "It's an absolute privilege to be in his presence. I wasn't born to see when he first managed England but when he managed Newcastle I saw him there and he was an absolute legend so it's good to meet him."