THE funeral of Neville Neville was held in Bury this afternoon. 

His family and friends filed into Bury Parish Church for the funeral, with crowds of people gathering outside to pay their respects.

Rounds of applause were given by onlookers in tribute to the former director and ambassador of Bury FC, who helped mobilise Shakers fans when the club came close to collapse in 2002.

The 65-year-old, father of former Manchester United footballers Gary and Phil, died in hospital in Sydney, Australia, after suffering a heart attack earlier this month. 

The brothers were among the pall bearers who carried his coffin in and out of the church.

He was travelling with his daughter Tracey, who is England Netball head coach, for the Netball World Cup, when he was taken ill.

Well-wishers attending the funeral included David Beckham, his mother Sandra, Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, and former Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce. 

Players and staff from Bury FC were also in attendance, including current boss David Flitcroft and ex-managers Sam Ellis, Stan Ternent and coach Wilf McGuinness.

Mr Neville (pictured below) leaves Tracey, former England players Gary, Phil, grandson Harvey and granddaughters Molly, Sophie and Isabella.

Bury Times: Sports enthusiast: Neville Neville has died aged 65 while on holiday in Australia

In his younger years, Mr Neville was a keen cricketer and played for Greenmount Cricket Club in the 1980s.