Cyrille Regis honoured as fans bid farewell to legendary footballer - PICTURES and VIDEO
'There’s only one Cyrille Regis.’
That was the moving chorus sung by Baggies fans as they waved a final goodbye to football legend Cyrille at The Hawthorns this morning.
Hundreds of mourners massed at the ground in memory of Cyrille ahead of his funeral.
WATCH fans giving their tributes to Cyrille Regis
The Baggies legend’s cortege stopped off at the ground which he saw as home turf, in order for fans and the club’s current squad to pay their respects.
It was welcomed in with a spontaneous round of applause, then exited 15 minutes later to the same - before the fans broke out into song in honour of Cyrille.
A private funeral is being held before a celebration service back at The Hawthorns.
Among those gathered at the Astle Gates - which are still covered in tributes to 59-year-old Cyrille - was Albion fan Karl Taylor from Stourbridge.
Company director Mr Taylor, 54, said Cyrille had been a rock in the wake of his father’s death - taking the time to call his mother and offer his condolences.
The England star’s actions proved the measure of the man, Mr Taylor - who has not missed an Albion home game since August 1976 - said.
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He told the Express & Star: “Six years ago I saw Cyrille just a few days after my dad died.
“I told him my mum had only been to the Albion once, because she kept shouting out Cyrille’s name - even when he didn’t have the ball. Dad wouldn’t take her after that!
“Cyrille said ‘put her on the phone and I’ll pass on my condolences’. Then he spoke to her for 20 minutes - what a top bloke.”
Care worker Michael Hyde, from Hill Top in West Bromwich, paid tribute to Cyrille’s ‘unbelievable’ talent.
Mr Hyde, 59, said: “Cyrille was unreal, incredible - he was unbelievable. They took a lot of abuse but got through it.
“I wanted to come down here to show my respect for him - he deserves it.”
Cary Crofts, 58, from Langley, said Cyrille deserves a lasting memorial at The Hawthorns - and called for the Birmingham Road End to be named after the star.
The stock controller said: “Cyrille and the other Three Degrees changed football forever in the way they dealt with all the abuse.
“Obviously Cyrille was a football legend but also a great man.
“I think the Birmingham Road End has to be named after him, that would be a perfect tribute.”
Tony Haden, 77, from Tividale, said: "I watched Cyrille going back a long way, when he played in the reserves.
"I thought what a magnificent player he was.
"I saw him make his debut where he scored a magnificent goal.
"I met him on many occasions, even when he played for the Albion All Stars down Stourbridge.
"He always had time for everybody.
"It was significant at that time for black players.
"I went to away grounds where there was horrendous abuse.
"The fact he was able to go through that was truly magnificent.
"He was at the forefront of everything in the game.
"That's why we are here today to celebrate him.
"What a privilege it was to meet him as a player and person."
Sean Thompson, 30, from Birmingham, said: "He was a friend of mine and mentor.
"He was an inspiration before I met him.
"He gave me a lot of wisdom on life and marriage.
"We went to the same church and he was at my wedding."
Neil Whitehouse, 54, from Sedgley, said: "We have came today to pay respect to a man who gave us so many happy memories.
"It was the best years watching the Albion when Cyrille played.
"I just can't believe he is no longer with us.
"I was with him at Ally Robertson's book launch.
"We came here today to be pay tribute to Cyrille."
*Additional reporting by Jamie Brassington.
