{UAH} Football bids farewell to West Brom legend Cyrille Regis with memorial service at The Hawthorns
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Football bids farewell to West Brom legend Cyrille Regis with memorial service at The Hawthorns
The memorial will be open to the public and will take place after a private funeral
Thousands of supporters joined friends and family to celebrate the life of pioneering footballer Cyrille Regis during an emotional service at the stadium where he made his name.
The former West Brom and England star was brought through the streets to the Hawthorns Stadium ahead of his funeral on Tuesday.
Loud applause rang out as hundreds of fans, ex-players and colleagues watched as the procession made its way outside the ground where he was idolised.
Baggies boss Alan Pardew and his squad also turned out to pay their respects before the cortège left the stadium, through the Jeff Astle gates, for a private funeral.
Fans spontaneously broke out into chants of "There's only one Cyrille Regis" and "Nice one Cyrille, nice one son" as they did from the terraces during the 70s and 80s .
Around 2,000 supporters later packed out the East Stand joined by the likes of John Barnes, Dwight Yorke and Ron Atkinson for a celebratory service of his life.
His family entered the ground to the sound of Chris Love singing 'Bring Him Home' from the hit musical Les Miserables.
Singer Beverley Knight then performed a heartfelt rendition of the gospel song "Going Up Yonder" with the club anthem "The Lord's My Shepherd" also played.
Speaking at the service, daughter Michelle Regis said: "A legend, a gentleman, the Three Degrees - the many different names you had.
"But I couldn't be more proud to call you my dad.
"Your strength made me feel protected. How are we meant to live without you now, I don't know.
"I promise you dad that Julia and I will continue to look after each other. I can only seek and draw closer to God now.
"I know that will make you happy, because this pain, this sorrow only his almighty can heal.
"So today I say good-bye dad, but one day I too will leave his place and return to my father's open arms and forever remain in his loving embrace."
His brother Dave said: "Cyrille was our brother.
"Growing up football was never a part of our lives, he had a tight knit group of friends, by the time I stated senior school he had already left.
"Cyrille disappeared to Birmingham to play for West Brom and he appeared all over the back pages.
"He also loved his clothes, especially tight clothes to show off his muscles, he was proud of his children, he loved them all.
"Like all of us he had his ups and downs, there was time after Laurie [Cuningham} died when he turned to God, seeking some comfort in his life.
"He never forced his faith on anyone, he lived his life with God at his centre.
"He wasn't a great dancer but was determined to learn the moves to the electric slide to the soundtrack candy, I will miss seeing him dance.
"We would always meet once at a week to go to a youth game, and talk about things, football and even try to make first team games.
"I will miss him immensely, he was always there for me, I will miss our frequent conversations, and we will miss his wisdom and love.
"I would like to thank you all for coming here to celebrate his life, we will miss you bro."
The trailblazing striker died aged 59 on January 14 of a suspected heart attack and was described as a "crusader against bigotry" at a time racism was rife in the game.
Regis racked up an impressive 81 goals in 241 appearance for the Baggies, whilst also picking up fiver senior caps for the England national side.
He paved the way for future generations of black players along with Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, together known as the Three Degrees.
He also won the FA Cup with Coventry in 1987 and had successful spells with Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Regis, who became an MBE in 2008, was working as a football agent until his death after spending four years on the coaching staff at West Brom.
He is survived by wife Julia, who he wed in 2006, his children from his first marriage, Robert and Michelle, and his grandchildren, Jayda, Renee and Riley.
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