It's a full house for Frizz

FINAL JOURNEY for Jimmy Frizzell

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LATICS legend Jimmy Frizzell played his final match on Friday ... in front of a full house.

St Anne's Church, Royton, was packed for the funeral of the man who spent 22 years at Boundary Park, first as a player then as a manager who brought success to the club.

In scorching sunshine, it was a day of celebration for the life of the 79-year-old from Scotland who made Oldham his lifelong home and who was taken to the hearts of all who knew him.

They turned out in force. Fans wore club colours including the yesteryear tangerine as a mark of respect and scarves including the sky blue of Manchester City - where Frizzell moved on to after Oldham Athletic - were also in evidence.

Respects

Current Latics manager Steve Robinson brought his full team squad to pay their respects in a touch of class that did both Jimmy's family and the football club proud.

With him was chief executive Neil Joy while previous generations of club administrators such as Alan Hardy and Bernard Halford ­- who worked with Frizzell at City ­- were also there.

If the current Latics squad were there in force then so were the footballers of yesteryear.

These included Jim Bowie, Keith Hicks Ian Wood, Les Chapman, Ronnie Blair and Alan Young.

Also there was former City and England winger Peter Barnes, whose late father Ken was a big football buddy of the man everyone knew affectionately as "Jimmy Frizz".

There was also a large contingent of officials and members from Crompton and Royton Golf Club where Frizzell was able to continue his sporting passion after retiring from football.

And among the rank and file Latics fans ­- many of whom have followed the club for decades ­- were local comedian Venn Tracey and sporting veteran Cec Wright, who wore his own personal "until we meet again" tribute to Jimmy on a placard around his neck.

During the service, sons Andy and Callum spoke fondly of their father.

They both spoke from the heart about a man respected across the world of football as Callum put it: "My hero, my best friend, my dad."

And Andy brought smiles to the packed congregation when he recalled Jimmy's answer to what he would have done if in his day he had earned the equivalent of £120,000 a week like the modern superstars?

"I would have played for a month and retired son, " he said, probably with that cheeky grin that all who knew him knew so well.

Widow Wendy and the family will have drawn great comfort from the fantastic turnout to say farewell to a genuine hero of Oldham Athletic.

The service continued at Oldham Crematorium before a reception at Crompton and Royton Golf Club.