Farewell Cyrille: World of football joins fans honouring icon during service at The Hawthorns - PICTURES
Stars from the world of football and entertainment joined hundreds of fans gathered to say goodbye to Cyrille Regis.
The pioneering footballer, who played for Albion, Villa and Wolves while paving the way for a generation of black footballers, was being celebrated at The Hawthorns with a public service today.
Ahead of the service hundreds of fans gathered outside to watch the funeral procession make its way from the ground at around 8.30am.
Applause rang out alongside chants of 'There's only one Cyrille Regis' as the cortège left The Hawthorns ahead of a private family funeral.
Invited guests then began to mix with fans ahead of the memorial service back at the stadium from 10.45am.
Speakers included the last remaining member of the famous ‘Three Degrees’ Brendon Batson, Graham Daniels from Christians in Sport, football agent Jonathan Barnett, John Sillett, manager of the Coventry City team with whom Cyrille won the FA Cup, and John Homer, chairman of Albion’s official supporters club.
Singer Beverley Knight was also performing.
Family tributes were provided by Cyrille’s children Robert and Michelle, his nephew and former Albion striker Jason Roberts, and his brother Dave Regis.
A eulogy was read by his widow, Julia.
