Hundreds of mourners said their final farewells to Bert Beaumont, the man known as 'The voice of Fagley', at his funeral.

A crowd of more than 200 gathered outside the Fagley Youth and Community Centre for a special service for the 76-year-old who died from a heart attack on January 9.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney and Councillor Bob Sowman (Lab, Undercliffe) stood alongside Bert's three sisters as members of Fagley Football Club carried Bert's coffin into the centre yesterday.

Humanist preacher Robert Tee paid tribute to a man who had devoted his life to helping others on the Fagley Estate.

He told the gathering that Bert was a good person, who loved life and had a great sense of fun.

He paid tribute to Bert's determination to ensure Fagley got its fair slice of Newlands Single Regeneration Budget money and his devotion to Fagley Football Club.

Bert's coffin, which had a Fagley FC shirt draped over it, was taken to Undercliffe Cemetery and laid to rest in a double grave with his second wife Joan who died in 1991.

One floral tribute at the graveside said Bert was "legend in his own lifetime" and a crusader for the estate.

His eldest sister Elaine Dalby, 51, of Morley, said: "There were so many people here to pay their respects, it seems they've come from all sections the community. Bert wouldn't have wanted it any other way."

His brother, Les Beaumont, 60, who made a trip from his home in Canterbury, Kent, said: "It is very touching so many people have turned out."

David Fletcher, who re-established Fagley FC with Bert three years ago, said: "It was the estate which came first for Bert but football was his pleasure."

Coun Sowman said it was tragic that Bert would not see some of the things he had fought so hard for such as a traffic-calming scheme on the estate come into action.

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