A North-East football legend is guaranteed a huge welcome when he returns to the area next month to help raise funds for a local junior club.

Former Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson is set for a sell-out date at the Swan Hotel, Billingham on Friday, March 17th as a fundraiser for Billingham Town Juniors Football Club.

During the dinner function Robson will be interviewed by BBC Tees radio presenter Paul 'Goffy' Gough about his long and illustrious career at the very top - which started out in the North East as a schoolboy in Chester-le-Street.

The former Manchester United and England captain went on to win many of the game’s biggest trophies via his 13-year association with Manchester United, many of them under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The fundraiser in Billingham later next month has already seen every table and ticket snapped up in quick time.

Billingham Juniors chairman Lee Shackleton said: “We only really started pushing the tickets for Bryan's return to Teesside a few weeks ago and the calls have been non-stop.

“It has proved so popular that we had hoped to stage a second night on the Saturday but it was not possible to fit everything together to make that happen - logistically it was just not possible.

“He is undoubtedly a Teesside legend and people just want to join us and thank him for those great times.

“In these difficult times for many people we are absolutely delighted with this financial boost from the sell-out event - weeks ahead of the date.’’

Robson know as 'Captain Marvel ' from his England playing days and the man who along with Steve Gibson gave Middlesbrough some of their most memorable days when bringing players such as Juninho, Ravanelli, Gazza, Emerson, Ince and Merson to the Riverside.

Goffy, also the organiser of the event via his Hartlepool-based company Goffy Media, said: “This will be a great night - Bryan just loves to talk about that golden period for the Boro.

“I have worked with him on this show around the country and whenever the subject of Boro is raised he loves to remember and reminisce about his wonderful period on Teesside.

“Those lucky to have tickets will not be disappointed - he will chat for a good couple of hours and much of that will focus on those very eventful and memorable special Boro years from 1994 to 2001.’’

Robson, currently working out of the country in his role of Ambassador of Manchester United, said: “It's great news to hear that every ticket for the fundraiser have been sold for Billingham Juniors, and I am so much looking forward to meeting up with my many friends from across the area next month on Teesside.

“We shared some fantastic times together and it will be brilliant to chat about them with those great Boro fans that lived it all with us.’’

The former Boro boss will be on Teesside for the weekend as Middlesbrough face Manchester United at the Riverside in a re-scheduled TV fixture on Sunday, March 19th.

He added: “I will be able to catch -up with Steve Gibson whilst on Teesside and we will no doubt spend time chatting about our years together working to build up the name of Middlesbrough Football Club across the globe.

"It promises to be a memorable weekend back home in the North-East.’’