Former Toon Star Sets Up Sir Bobby Charity
The 38-year-old, who made his Premier League debut with United in 1991, recently launched the Robbie Elliott Foundation to raise cash for good causes. Elliott plans to complete the trek across Europe in memory of Sir Bobby, the man who signed him for his boyhood club.
In less than 25 days he plans to cycle 3,500 miles, visiting eight clubs across four countries where Sir Bobby coached. Inspired by Tyneside hero Mark Allison – whose run across the US saw him clock up distances of more than 26 miles a day – he set about planning the adventure.
This led him to reveal he that wanted to raise as much as possible after his father George, lost his battle with lung cancer before Robbie had earned his full debut.
Robbie said: “Sir Bobby signed me during my second stint at Newcastle. I have the utmost respect for him, you just have to look at the clubs he managed and the outcomes he achieved.
“The big thing for me was that even when you were not playing you could not be annoyed with him. He was a true gentleman and he was just an incredible man.
“At times he didn’t get the credit he deserved. When he left Newcastle we had the basis of an incredible, athletic, exciting team.
“It was an easy decision to do the fundraising in his memory. It was the perfect fit because I lost my dad through cancer and I’ve lost other family members and friends.”
And Robbie has received worldwide support already with the likes of Jose Mourinho – who was also close to Sir Bobby – backing the 38 year old to complete this marathon.
Sir Bobby’s wife, Lady Elsie Robson and sons Andrew, Paul and Mark have also pledged their support and are fully behind the idea.
Robbie’s mammoth trek will see him cover an average of 150 miles a day. It will begin from Sporting Lisbon’s ground in the south of Portugal.
He will make his way to Sir Bobby’s former ground at FC Porto before heading to Spain to touch base at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou, where Sir Bobby won every major trophy available.
Robbie will then cycle more than 1,500 miles to Holland where he will visit PSV Eindhoven before crossing the Channel to Fulham’s Craven Cottage and the home of English Football at Wembley.
He will then visit Portman Road which is home to Ipswich Town and then on to St James’ Park. Robbie has begun preparations to complete this mammoth task, but with everyone at the current Newcastle United supporting him all the way, we are sure he will succeed.
Comments welcome
The Spectator's View 
What do you think?