Fans invited to pay respects to Wolves winger Dave Wagstaffe

The funeral of much-loved Waggy, who died on August 6 aged 70 after a short illness, will be held at St. Peter's Collegiate Church, in Wolverhampton city centre, at 12.30pm. Leaving the family home in Tettenhall at 11.30am, the cortege will pause briefly at Molineux at 11.45am before passing on to St Peter's for the service.

Fans are welcome to pay vigil outside Molineux and then attend the service inside the church, where numbers are limited to 1,000 people.

There is a strong family theme to the pall bearers, with Waggy's sons, Gary, 47, and Scott, 45, along with his grandsons Zak, 21, Saul, 17 and Josh, 20. They will be joined by David Harriman, aged 69, the brother of Waggy's partner Val Williams, and her two sons James Williams, 33, and Ian Williams, 26.

The funeral service will be conducted by Wolves chaplain, St. Peter's team rector the Rev David Wright.

At the service, Wolves legend John Richards, a former team-mate of Waggy's, will be giving a reading from the Bible - book of John, chapter 14, verses 1-7.

Former Express & Star sports editor Steve Gordos, who helped with the ex-player's book Waggy's Tales and was a close friend, will pay tribute.

Scott will be reading a family tribute about Waggy the person.

Grand-daughter Chloe Williams, 17, daughter of Val's daughter Claire, 37, will sing 'How Great Thou Art'.

Among other family members at the service will be his partner Val Williams, his ex-wife Barbara, daughter Mandy, 42, Gary's daughter Rachel, 18 and Scott's daughter Chloe, 14.

Many of Waggy's former team-mates are expected to attend the funeral with Richards, including Phil Parkes, Geoff Palmer, Derek Parkin, John McAlle, Peter Knowles, Terry Wharton, Kenny Hibbitt, Danny Hegan, Steve Daley, Martin Patching and Mel Eves, and ex-physio Toby Andersen.

Representing Wolves will be chief executive Jez Moxey, director John Gough, vice-president Rachael Heyhoe Flint, head of media Matt Grayson and programme editor John Hendley.

Two of Waggy's former clubs, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, will also be represented.

As a mark of respect for Waggy and his family, Wolves' pre-match press conference for their next game, the match at home to Crawley on Friday which is being televised live by Sky, has been brought forward to this afternoon.

A minute's applause was held at Wolves' opening home game against Gillingham, while players wore black armbands at that game and in the Capital One Cup first round tie against Morecambe on the day Waggy died.

Flags outside Molineux will remain at half mast until the day after Waggy is laid to rest.

Arguably the finest uncapped player in his position, Wagstaffe was known as one of Wolves' greatest and most popular wingers.

Making 404 appearances and scoring 31 goals for Wolves, he served the club from 1964-76 after signing from Manchester City and later played for Blackburn Rovers twice and Blackpool in a 22-year career before retiring in 1980.