Paul Gascoigne led the tributes to his former mentor Sir Bobby Robson after a successful charity match in his honour.

A crowd of 33,000 turned out at St James' Park as a team including several of Robson's 1990 England World Cup squad took on a Germany XI to raise money for the 76-year-old's own cancer charity.

Robson, currently battling the disease for the fifth time, attended in a wheelchair and was introduced to both teams and presented with a UEFA lifetime achievement award before kick-off.

The match was intended as a reprise of the World Cup semi-final of 19 years ago, which West Germany won on penalties before going on to win the trophy.

Gascoigne, who was famously reduced to tears during England's defeat in Turin, said: "Sir Bobby is a legend over the world.

"He was the one who gave me my first run-out for the England team.

"When I saw him it was quite heartbreaking to see him that way but he is battling away and keeping on top of it, which is great.

"He's battling cancer for the fifth time. It takes a man to beat it once but he's doing it for a fifth time.

"That's the man he is, he won't give in."

The match was more open than the original 1-1 draw, with the England side coming from behind to win 3-2 with goals from post-Robson era players Les Ferdinand, Alan Thompson and Alan Shearer.

Yet the result was of secondary importance to the cash raised for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, a cancer charity set up last year by the man himself.

Peter Shilton, David Platt, Mark Wright, Des Walker, Peter Beardsley and John Barnes were among the other Italia 90 stars on show alongside a handful of celebrities such as Craig David and Paddy McGuinness.

Barnes played under Robson for both England and Newcastle. Robson's eight-year reign as England boss ended after Italia 90 and he later managed Newcastle from 1999-2004 following spells abroad with PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona.

Barnes said: "People have flown in to play for Sir Bobby, that is the esteem in which he is held.

"He is a great man, a great football person, so enthusiastic. There is not another person alive who deserves the accolades he gets.

"People fall out of love with football but he never has. He would still be involved now if he was able."

Howard Wilkinson, who managed the England XI, added: "I'm pleased Sir Bobby was able to be here and so many people from around Newcastle turned up to pay their respects.

"I'm pleased so many players and personalities wanted to be here and it was a roaring success."