IT was the perfect send-off for a true local hero.

As Ronnie Clayton's coffin was placed into the hearse following an emotional service at Blackburn Cathedral this afternoon, 1,000 mourners broke into spontaneous applause.

The sudden outpouring of love, respect and appreciation gave thanks for Ronnie the beloved husband, father and grandfather, and Ronnie the Rovers great.

Ahead of a private family service at Pleasington Cemetery the cortege then took one last poignant journey past Ronnie’s second home, his beloved Ewood Park.

Ronnie, 76, who lived in Wilpshire, died on Friday, October 29.

Family, friends, fans and football legends from across the North West had come together to remember the former England captain.

The tearful service of thanksgiving at Blackburn Cathedral heard tributes to 'a great man and a great footballer'.

Sam Allardyce, chairman John Williams and several current first teamers including David Dunn and Chris Samba were joined by legends of the game.

Sir Bobby Charlton came to remember his former England team mate and, of course, Ronnie's great friend Bryan Douglas also paid his respects.

Other footballers included Dave Whelan, Derek Fazackerley, Gordon Taylor, Ken Beamish, Kevin Gallagher, Jimmy McIlroy, Glenn Keeley, Duncan McKenzie, John Connelly, Gordon Lee and Don Mackay.

During the service Gordon Taylor, a former Rovers player and current PFA boss, said his friend was a 'real life Roy of the Rovers'.

Former team-mate Dave Whelan, who was in tears, said his friend ‘should be a role model to all modern pros’.

While Ronnie’s granddaughter Rebecca Williams told the congregation of her family’s ‘terrible loss’, she also had mourners laughing with memories of her grandfather’s ‘rubbish cooking, DIY and gardening skills’.

After two days of torrential downpours in Blackburn the sun came out to shine for the service.

At the cathedral, extra seats had to be provided for the 1,000-plus congregation, with all places filled more than 30 minutes before the 1.45pm service.

Arriving in a convoy of vintage black hearses Ronnie’s coffin was draped in a giant blue and white Blackburn Rovers flag and was followed into the church by a large group of his family.

Giving an opening tribute, Gordon Taylor said: “We use the terms legend and icon quite frequently nowadays but that is exactly what he was.

“Ronnie was to Blackburn Rovers what Sir Tom Finney is to Preston or Sir Bobby Charlton is to Manchester United.

“He was a man of the people.

“His football record was tremendous but his record as a human being was even better, if that was possible.

“When I next go to Ewood Park I will look for him and I will realise that there is a piece of the Ewood Park jigsaw missing.”

Ronnie's eldest granddaughter Rebecca Williams said her fondest memories were holidays with her grandad to Cornwall or Ronnie letting her stand on his feet while he waltzed her up and down the corridor at home.

She said: “He would whistle and hum as he waltzed me and would love to sing at the top of his voice Dean Martin's That's Amore or Leaning on a Lamp Post by George Formby.

“He also loved to play any kind of sport and devoted a large amount of time endeavouring to improve my throwing.

“Although he could turn his hand to any sport he did not excel at everything.

“His idea of cooking was cheese on toast and that consisted of putting a piece of bread in the microwave and topping it with a Kraft cheese slice.

“His DIY was not much better and neither was his gardening, often tearing out any plants or bushes that he wrongly thought were weeds.

“Most of all I will miss him terribly. Losing him is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with.

"I am extremely grateful that I could call such a man my grandad.”

Rev Ken Howles, the Blackburn Rovers chaplain, said Ronnie was ‘a true legend and a gentleman’.

He said: “This man was so special and he was Blackburn Rovers through and through.

“Over and over again in recent days I have heard the same tribute that people have said 'my life is all the better and so much richer for knowing Ronnie Clayton, the greatest ever Rovers player'.”

Speaking after the service, Mr Fazackerley, Rovers’ record appearance holder, said: “The number of people who have come to the service and the fantastic tributes just show what he means to people.

“It has been a terrific service for a terrific man.”

Wigan owner Dave Whelan, who played in the same Rovers team as Ronnie, was in tears as he left the cathedral.

He said: “It was a fantastic send-off. He is an inspiration to anyone who wants to go into football, with his clean living and dedication.

"He was a true role-model.”

After the service the funeral cortege made the short trip to Ewood Park, where fans had adorned the Jack Walker statue with football shirts, scarves, flowers and flags in tribute to their idol.

One Rovers shirt from 'Birdy Ewood Blues' bore the message: “Ronnie Clayton, now you're gone Jack wants you to captain his heaven's eleven.”

Click below to see the picture gallery from Ronnie Clayton's funeral