Howard Kendall's Everton marriage: Liverpool remembers a legend

More than 1,700 mourners attended Howard Kendall's emotional funeral at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on Saturday.

It was a sad day for the city but one on which the life of the former Everton player and manager was celebrated and remembered in equal measure.

Sky Sports News HQ reporter Ben Ransom was there as the city said its goodbyes to a man who can comfortably be classified as a Goodison Park legend...

Peter Reid summed up the feelings of the city with his eulogy to the late Howard Kendall, who passed away at the age of 69 earlier this month.

The pair go back to December 1982 when Kendall brought the midfielder back to his native Merseyside and started what most agree was Everton's golden era; when they wrestled the power from their dominant rivals Liverpool to become England's top club side.

Kendall's achievements with Everton give him legendary status in these parts, and it is easy to see why he is so fondly remembered by the thousands who lined the route of his cortege as it made its way from Goodison Park to the city's Anglican Cathedral.

Those who were lucky enough to see him play remember an energetic midfielder who had an eye for goal.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright had to fight back the tears to describe Kendall as the best the club ever had: "When he went for the ball he got the ball... A midfield rock."

In combination with Colin Harvey and Alan Ball, Kendall helped Everton clinch the first division title in 1970. Many more will remember him as Peter Reid described - simply as Everton's greatest ever manager.

Not only did Kendall overthrow the dominance of Everton's great inter-city rivals, he did it with style. His Everton side of the mid-1980s won two League titles, the FA Cup in 1984 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985.

Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral might be red in colour - but today it was filled with blue. At the club's ground the cortege did a lap of honour, pausing at the Dixie Dean statue and then making its way across the city for the final farewell.

Supporters lining the streets broke out into applause as it passed, many holding shirts and scarves aloft, some respectful red among a sea of blue.

Former Evertonians were joined by others from the game touched by Kendall's greatness. England captain Wayne Rooney joined English football's most successful manager Sir Alex Ferguson in coming to pay their respects.

It was impossible not to be touched by the sheer vastness of the cathedral, which towers above much of the Liverpool skyline. But as the service went on, the words and memories of those who knew and loved 'H' filled its every crevice.

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Joe Royle's eulogy was in tribute to Howard the player, a man he describes as "truly an Everton legend, and more importantly a lovely man."

He recalled the player who had an ability to arrive in the box right on cue and a master of the most difficult skill in the game, the volley. It was this memory that caught in his throat as he choked up with a fitting farewell to the 69 year-old.

"For once you got your timing wrong, my friend," said Royle. "You left us way too early."

Appropriately the final hymn of the service, Abide With Me, was sung with gusto reminiscent of a Wembley crowd.

Under Kendall a trip for Everton fans to see their team play under the shadow of the famous twin towers was a regularity rather than a rare treat.

Club ambassador Graham Stuart was signed by Kendall during his third spell as manager. His eulogy was to Howard the man.

"We've lost a great Evertonian, a great friend," he told the gathering. "But we've gained along the way many champagne moments, many champagne memories."

An emotional occasion was brought to a close by the theme to Z Cars. The Everton anthem inspired more applause among the thousands inside the cathedral and those who stayed to watch the 90-minute service from outside the gates. They stood shoulder to shoulder as if on the terraces, watching the pictures beamed outside the cathedral doors.

This solidarity was a fitting tribute to Howard Kendall - who will long be remembered in the hearts of Evertonians for those very "champagne moments" he brought during an association with the club lasting more than 30 years.

It's a relationship the man himself famously described - and was reinforced again here - as a marriage, rather than a love affair.