Tears, laughter, for a legend

The funeral of Latics' legend Gordon Lawton - secretary at Oldham Athletic. Oldham Parish Church. PIC shows coffin arriving with family.

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A MAN without a malicious bone in his body, who was blessed with a wicked sense of humour.

That was how Oldham Athletic legend Gordon Lawton was described at a fitting funeral service at Oldham Parish Church that packed in hundreds of mourners, from supporters to club staff and current and ex-players and managers.

"He was a big man who had a big presence and a tremendous sense of humour," said Gordon's long-time commentary partner and friend Roy Butterworth in a eulogy that was both heartfelt and amusing enough to raise a laugh or two.

The packed-out church - one estimate had the number present at 800 - contained a host of famous names.

Gordon, who leaves behind wife Lorraine and family, worked at Athletic for 31 years. And key figures from the glory days like Joe Royle, Andy Ritchie, Alan Hardy, Andy Barlow and Ian Marshall arrived to pay their respects. So, too, did directors from the time, David Brierley, Norman Holden, Peter Chadwick and John Slevin.

Athletic's current manager John Sheridan and the whole first-team squad observed the service and there was also a heavy contingent of staff who had worked alongside Gordon since he first arrived at the club in 1986 - initially to launch a club lottery that was soon raking in £9,000 in sales every week. These included Sean Jarvis (now at Huddersfield Town) and Tom Finn, former club secretary.

Going on to occupy a number of roles at the club, including programme editor, commentator and most latterly, club secretary, Gordon was 63 years old when he sadly passed away last month, not long after hanging up the microphone following the close of the 2016-17 season.

The service, conducted by Athletic's club chaplain John Simmons, was a fitting tribute to an unsung hero.

• More pictures of Gordon Lawton.