Respects are paid to former Wolves star Barry Stobart
Former footballers and fans gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of Wolves FA Cup winner Barry Stobart today.
Ex team-mates and supporters lined up at St Peter's Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton city centre as the former inside forward was remembered in a service of celebration and thanksgiving.
The coffin of Mr Stobart was carried into a packed church by pall bearers, grandson Joshua Stobart, nephews Josef Hawkes and Christian Broadhurst and brother-in-law Alan Hawkes.
Grandson Jacob Stobart walked behind the coffin wearing a Wolves shirt bearing his grandad's number eight on the back. Colleagues from the football world gathered to pay their tributes including Wolves legends Ron Flowers and John Richards, along with Phil Parkes, Mel Eves, Gerry O'Hara, Phil Nicholls, Jim Barron, Ken Knighton and Fred Kemp.
Representing Wolves were chief executive Jez Moxey and retired club historian Graham Hughes.
During the service, which started with Elton John's 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight', Wolves chaplain Rev David Wright called for the congregation to celebrate Barry's life and added he hoped that among the sadness there was an air of thanksgiving and remembrance.
Father-of-two Mr Stobart died aged 75 on August 28 after a long battle with vascular dementia.
Stobart scored 22 goals in 54 games for Wolves from 1960-64 and later had spells with Manchester City, Aston Villa and Shrewsbury Town. He also managed non-league Willenhall Town to their finest hour, the 1981 FA Vase final, when the Lockmen lost 3-2 after extra-time.
After retiring from football and settling in Sedgley he worked as a greengrocer and window cleaner.
