Summerbee, Lake and Morrison join family, friends and fans at Ricky Hatton funeral | OneFootball

Mike Summerbee, Paul Lake and Andy Morrison were among the thousands at Manchester Cathedral – and across the city - to pay their respects to boxing legend and huge City fan Ricky Hatton.

The two-time world champion from Hyde passed away on 14 September at the age of 46.

Invited mourners, and many more outside, gathered at Manchester Cathedral at midday for his funeral to pay tribute to an icon of British boxing and one of sport’s greatest personalities.

A wake was then held at the Etihad Stadium as family, friends and fans celebrated the life of a Manchester hero.

Throughout his career, Hatton garnered a huge fanbase, whether he was fighting in Manchester or Las Vegas, and thousands lined the streets along the procession route from his hometown and outside the city centre cathedral to say their farewells.

City favourites Summerbee, Lake and Morrison were among the many famous faces from across British sport and culture at the service.

Historian Dr Gary James and Mike Geary, CEO of City in the Community, were just some of the other representatives from the Club that meant so much to Hatton.

Fellow City fan and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was also at the Cathedral, as well as fellow Mancunian icons Shaun Ryder and Bez from Happy Mondays and current Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

And greats from the world of boxing were in attendance too, including fellow former world champions Tyson Fury, Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno and Tony Bellew.

Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff and footballer Wayne Rooney were also amongst the huge crowd, further demonstrating the love and respect for Hatton across all walks of life.

A regular at matches with a box at the Etihad, Hatton wore sky blue shorts and used Blue Moon as his walkout song ahead of his fights – and in 2008 fulfilled a dream when he fought Juan Lazcano at the stadium.

Known as ‘The Hitman’, he won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an incredible 15-year career in the ring that saw him win won world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight.

He was honoured with an MBE in the 2007 New Year’s Honours List for his services to sport.

A moving minute’s appreciation was held before our Premier League game against Manchester United on 14 September, with the players on both sides wearing black armbands in remembrance of Hatton and his immense impact on our city.

City fans then had the opportunity to remember Hatton in their own way before the start of our recent clash with Burnley, unveiling a banner before kick-off aptly describing the boxer as ‘The People’s Champion.’

Everyone at the Club would like to share our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.