Mourners pay respects to 'Uncle Jack'

Jack Walker's coffin was decorated with lilies

Family and friends of Blackburn Rovers owner Jack Walker have paid their last respects to him at his funeral service.

Walker, who used his millions to restore his beloved Rovers to their former glory, died last Thursday at the age of 71 after a long battle against cancer.

Up to 1,000 people packed the 11th century St Brelade's Parish Church near Walker's family home on the island of Jersey.

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness, his assistant Tony Parkes, club captain Garry Flitcroft and former managers Kenny Dalglish and Roy Hodgson all attended the service.

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness among the mourners

Walker's coffin, covered with white lilies, arrived at the church in a black Daimler hearse topped with wreaths.

Walker's friend and former colleague in his steel business David Brown spoke of his work ethic and said how he was inspired by former prime minister Winston Churchill.

He said Walker had been a "humble and almost shy man" who had never lost his common touch.

Mr Brown said Walker was generous to a fault and was known to Blackburn Rovers fans as Uncle Jack.

"To his fans he was simply the best," Mr Brown said. "Uncle Jack could and did make their dreams come true."

Jack Walker: Known as Uncle Jack

Extra seating in a separate chapel, marquee and a church hall near to the 11th century granite church helped accommodate the 1,000 mourners.

The funeral was followed by a private cremation in St Helier and a reception for family and friends at the island hotel L'Horizon.

Walker had been receiving hospital treatment for several months at home on Jersey where he had been a tax exile since 1974.

The former steel worker, last year estimated to be Britain's 30th richest man with a £600m fortune, took control of the club he used to watch as a boy in 1991.

He spent £25m on new players in the first three years, including the £3.5m signing of Alan Shearer from Southampton.

Former Blackburn coach Kenny Dalglish was among the mourners

This enabled the club to achieve his dream of lifting the Premier League title in his fourth year as owner, under the leadership of ex-Liverpool and Celtic star Kenny Dalglish.

He spent more than £20m on the ageing Ewood Park ground, with a new Jack Walker stand providing a lasting tribute to the owner.

In addition to his steel business, Walker built up Jersey European Airways to be worth an estimated £100m.

He lived with his wife Carol and two sons in a relatively modest farmhouse overlooking the sea.