Thousands of mourners said farewell to football legend Derek Dooley today.
They gathered at Sheffield Cathedral for an emotional and moving funeral service led by the Bishop of Sheffield.
The 78-year-old former chairman of Sheffield United was loved and admired across the world of football. Former Blades' managers Neil Warnock and Dave Bassett paid special tributes at the service for one of Sheffield's favourite sporting sons.
The Cathedral was packed with thousands of others gathered outside and clapped in his coffin as a Cathedral bell chimed every 15 seconds. The family mourners were led by Derek's widow, Sylvia.
Other mourners included Sheffield United PLC chairman Kevin McCabe, team manager Kevin Blackwell and the Sheffield United first team squad, many former Blades and Sheffield Wednesday players, Sir Bobby Charlton, Brendan Ingle, Sir Dave Richards, test umpire Dickie Bird, former sports minister Richard Caborn, the Lord Mayor, the Master Cutler, leader of the city council Jan Wilson and former England manager, Howard Wilkinson.
Dave Bassett, who managed Sheffield United between 1988 and 1995, said: "He was enormously respected - if you go to any football club, wherever it is, Derek Dooley was revered and respected. They loved him for what he was."
Neil Warnock, manager at Bramall Lane from 1999 until 2007, referred to Derek as "Mr Sheffield" and spoke emotionally about "a great man" who "never complained" despite his leg amputation at the height of his playing career with Sheffield Wednesday.
In a touching tribute, Neil said: "He never had a lot of money, or a mansion with electric gates and five cars. He was not even a millionaire, but he had something money could not buy - integrity and respect, which is something you can't put a price on. Chairman, you're gone but you'll never be forgotten."
Former players who attended included Alan Kelly, Bob Booker, Mitch Ward, John Gannon, Charlie Hartfield, Brian Deane, Tony Agana, Jamie Hoyland, Billy Dearden, Mick Jones, Cec Coldwell, Tommy Hoyland, Alan Hodgkinson, Paul Tomlinson, John Pemberston, Carl Bradshaw, Dane Whitehouse, Steve Charles, and from across the city Alan Finney, David Hirst, Mel Sterland, Johnny Quinn, David Layne, Peter Swan, Graham Pugh, Colin Prophett, Don Megsosn, Derek Wilkinson to name but a few.
