Tributes paid to Peterborough United legend Tommy Robson at moving funeral service

A small number of friends and family gathered at the city’s crematorium to say a final goodbye to Tommy. 
Earlier in the day, many fans and club staff gathered outside the Weston Homes Stadium to give him a final round of applause as the funeral cortege passed through on the way to the service.

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Tommy’s coffin, adorned with Posh scarves, was carried into the service to the sound of ‘I’ll See You Again’ by Westlife and it was his cousin Joyce who carried out the service.

She paid her own tribute to her cousin, before his wife Helen read out a poem that had given her comfort in the past few weeks.

A poem, called ‘I’m Free’ was also read on behalf of his daughter Anita.

Tributes focused on Tommy as a man, his love of life, family, the city of Peterborough and his cars. 
He was also praised for the way he gave his all to his brave fight against motor neurone disease and that perhaps losing the ability to drive was one of the hardest parts of his illness.

Paying her own tribute, Joyce said: “He never forgot where he came from. 
“He was a Robson from Fleming Street. He was brought up in a Robson family tradition that was about putting people first, respecting and caring for the folk around where we lived and being generous to those that had even less than you, and I don’t think those values ever left him.

She added: “Peterborough was the place he made his home, it is a city and community he loved and served for so long.

“It’s not just about the 559 appearences he made or the 128 goals he scored but the public service, the coaching of the youth team, the charity fundraising and the respect and affection that led to the awarding of the freedom of the city. He also made his home in the hearts of all the people that loved him.

“Peterborough for him was about more than just a game of football.

“For all of these places, all of these football clubs, there has been praise and thanksgiving, not just for Tommy Robson the player but also Tommy Robson the man.

“The man who loved people and always had time for folk.

“Ian (Tommy’s son) told me that from an early age he had to learn to share his dad. Wherever they went, folk would stop Tom for a chat or to sign an autograph or perhaps to record a memory of Tom diving for a penalty.

She said on behalf of Ian: “It was an inconvenience, at the very least, for children that just wanted to do something or go somewhere with their dad but it’s not until now, until 45 years later that my inconvenience would be rewarded, at my time of greatest need.

“After dad passed, the outpouring of love from all of those people I thought had inconvenienced me was overwhelming and wonderful.”