Friday 12 February 2016 23:36, UK
A celebration of the life of football legend Jimmy Hill took place at Coventry Cathedral on Friday.
The 87-year-old, who numbered player, manager and owner among his many roles during an extraordinary life in the sport, passed away in December after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Hundreds turned out to remember Hill, including the England manager Roy Hodgson and FA Chairman Greg Dyke.
Hill had a long playing career with Brentford and particularly Fulham, and had a huge influence as leader of the players' union, successfully campaigning for the abolition of the £20 maximum wage.
A successful manager of Coventry following the end of his playing days, he is also regarded as a true footballing pioneer and was instrumental in the introduction of all-seater stadiums, three points for a win and professional referees.
He also became a renowned TV broadcaster and executive, and also famously acted as a stand-in linesman during an Arsenal-Liverpool match at Highbury in 1972.
Hill's son Jamie and the former Wales and Coventry boss Bobby Gould spoke during the celebration, along with BBC commentator John Motson, while the Sky Blue Song, which Hill wrote for the midlands club, closed the service.
Speaking outside the Cathedral, Dyke said: "He was a bit of a maverick as he did such different things.
"Remember, he went from being a football manager to a television executive. It is not a natural move and yet he did it well and then became a pundit and a presenter. He had a special talent.
"You knew him as a footballer too, because no one had a beard in those days!"
Hill is a beloved figure at Coventry, having climaxed a revolutionary spell as manager by leading them into the top flight for the first time ever.
And PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor said: "Jimmy will never be forgotten at Coventry for what he did.
"We're talking about the first all-seater stadium, pre-match entertainment, special supporters' trains.
"My wife was at Coventry training college and he agreed to be kidnapped for their rag day! He was always willing to have fun and to improve things.
"I suppose he was like one of those explorers, looking for new things. The Christopher Columbus of football."
And current Coventry boss Tony Mowbray said: "At every home game a song plays before kick-off and the fans pick it up, and there are black and white pictures of Jimmy orchestrating the crowd.
"He wrote the words and the fans all bought into it. He was a real leader of men, who picked this club up and took it from the Third Division to the First Division, as it was then."
West Ham and England great Sir Trevor Brooking said Hill was able make so many positive changes because of his love of the sport.
"His greatest contribution was his enthusiasm for the game," said Brooking.
"Whatever Jim got into, he would not let go if he thought the changes he was proposing were right.
"A lot of people had no idea, the things he had done. I think a lot of the younger generation were pretty shocked about just how much influence he had for 30-40 years."
England manager Hodgson spoke after the service and felt it was a fitting tribute to Hill.
"I think we have lost a great innovator, and a very important man in the football world," he said.
"I am really pleased that tonight his life was celebrated in such a dignified way and so many people, who knew him so much better than me, were able to speak so glowingly about his life.
"I am sure his family must be very, very proud this evening."
