SQUAD INSPIRED BY SIR BOBBY EXCLUSIVE

GARETH SOUTHGATE hopes England’s players will take inspiration from a new film about Sir Bobby Robson when they watch the emotive portrait of the former manager at their team hotel this evening.

The England camp will have a special screening of Sir Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager at their base in Hertfordshire.

The uplifting documentary features interviews with World Cup stars Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and Terry Butcher, and includes poignant footage of Italia 90, when England were beaten by West Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.

Southgate is very keen to see the film and believes his squad and support staff can benefit from reliving the highs and lows of the two World Cups for which Robson was manager — England also made it to the quarter-finals at Mexico 86.

Robson died in 2009 aged 76 and interviews with him are used as the narration to his life story. In one emotional recollection, he reveals what he told Gascoigne after the player received the yellow card against West Germany which would have ruled him out of the final.

‘Look, I know you can’t play in the final, but what you can do is make sure all the other lads can,’ Robson said to his tearful star. Gascoigne later breaks down when remembering his relationship with the man who gave him his England debut and helped turn him into one of the world’s best players.

England’s journey to the last four captured the imagination of the country and Robson says he wishes he could have been back home to witness the street parties. Southgate will no doubt hope his players are inspired by the prospect of creating a similar feeling.

Robson’s widow, Elsie, is said to be thrilled that the new generation of stars will see the film before they head to Russia.

The film, written and codirected by Gabriel Clarke of ITV and Noah Media Group, has been brilliantly received during pre- screenings around the country, including at Wembley and St James’ Park. It will be released at selected cinemas and on DVD from June 4.