WANDERERS managers past and present were among those who paid tribute to Phil Gartside during a public service remembering the club's former chairman.

Former managers Sammy Lee and Dougie Freedman joined current caretaker manager Jimmy Phillips at Bolton Parish Church in paying their respects to Mr Gartside, who died in February aged 63 after a short cancer battle.

Outgoing owner Eddie Davies was also at the service, joined by his successor Dean Holdsworth, with about 300 people in total including Mr Gartside's family, friends and wellwishers packing into the church.

The service, led by Wanderers club chaplain Phil Mason and Canon Matt Thompson, Vicar of Bolton, included eulogies from club vice chairman Brett Warburton, business partner Philip Moody and family friend Chris Eyres.

They all spoke of a man who put others needs and feelings before his own, and who displayed courage and bravery in the face of his illness.

Other leading lights in football who attended the service included Sir Dave Richards, chairman of the Premier League, Peter Ridsdale, chairman of Preston North End, as well as Bolton civic leaders Cliff Morris and Margaret Asquith who were joined by University of Bolton vice chancellor George Holmes.

Speaking to The Bolton News after the service, Mr Holdsworth said: "It was very fitting, the calibre of people who turned out shows how well respected Phil was, and our best wishes go to his family and friends.

"It's a proud day for them to celebrate Phil's life and we wish his family all the best for the future.

"Everybody here today is very proud to have been associated with him, for what he did on and off the pitch for the club."

Mr Gartside joined the board at Wanderers in 1989 and became chairman in October 1999, after being born in Leigh and attending Leigh Grammar School.

He oversaw a successful period at Wanderers with Sam Allardyce and was also involved with the FA and the building of the new Wembley Stadium.

Mr Holdsworth, who joined Wanderers as a player in 1997 from Wimbledon, said: "My first memory of Phil was that he thought I was soft became I came from London!

"Then he thought I wasn't so soft, coming from the crazy gang.

"We used to joke that he could be the captain of the crazy gang. It was always a bit of north and south banter, but it was always healthy and we had some great times together."

Mr Gartside was laid to rest during a private funeral led by Mr Mason last month.