IT was fitting that the final act concerning Tim Halford should draw a capacity crowd to Emmanuel Church in Plymouth on Monday. The huge church had standing room only, and that was at a premium, as family, friends and the football community of the South West came together to say goodbye to a man who had become a legend in local football in his short life. Timothy Paul Halford was born on February 3, 1962 and tragically collapsed and died in the early hours of Sunday, September 23, 2007, but he has left a lasting impression on so many people. The respect and love commanded by the man was shown by the attendance at the service, which saw people travel from far and wide in Devon and Cornwall to pay their last respects to 'Halfie.' The Reverend Paul Andrew conducted the service that began with the playing of Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight as the coffin entered the church, with Tim's stepsons, Paul and Gary Bottomley, as two of the bearers. Reverend Andrew said: 'Tim had two passions: his family and football – and he would have been proud of his side thumping Tavistock 3-0 on Saturday.' Paul Bottomley then read a very moving tribute to his stepfather on behalf of the family, saying: 'He brought happiness to every team he managed.' The service ended to the tune of Gerry Marsden's football anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. The family then attended a private cremation before returning to Kimberley Stadium, where many of the mourners joined them for refreshments. Such was the size of the gathering that Saltash had erected a marquee on the pitch to accommodate the numbers. Kimberley Stadium had also been the stage for a moving tribute to Tim last Saturday, when the largest crowd of the season gathered for the game against Tavistock, which was played at the request of his family. Representatives of the Football Association, Cornwall FA and the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League were present at a ground where the centre section of the main grandstand was adorned with dozens of floral tributes. Saltash vice-chairman Colin Phillips did well to hold his emotions in check as he read the tribute to his manager, which began with him thanking Tavistock for their co-operation. 'Football in the South West has lost a legend and a well-respected team manager who has always been successful and held in high esteem at all his previous clubs. 'I ask you to join in a rapturous round of applause as we say farewell, goodnight and thank you to a wonderful man and the perfect sportsman,' concluded Phillips as emotions reached a peak. Needless to say the applauseIT was fitting that the final act concerning Tim Halford should draw a capacity crowd to Emmanuel Church in Plymouth on Monday. The huge church had standing room only, and that was at a premium, as family, friends and the football community of the South West came together to say goodbye to a man who had become a legend in local football in his short life. Timothy Paul Halford was born on February 3, 1962 and tragically collapsed and died in the early hours of Sunday, September 23, 2007, but he has left a lasting impression on so many people. The respect and love commanded by the man was shown by the attendance at the service, which saw people travel from far and wide in Devon and Cornwall to pay their last respects to 'Halfie.' The Reverend Paul Andrew conducted the service that began with the playing of Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight as the coffin entered the church, with Tim's stepsons, Paul and Gary Bottomley, as two of the bearers. Reverend Andrew said: 'Tim had two passions: his family and football – and he would have been proud of his side thumping Tavistock 3-0 on Saturday.' Paul Bottomley then read a very moving tribute to his stepfather on behalf of the family, saying: 'He brought happiness to every team he managed.' The service ended to the tune of Gerry Marsden's football anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. The family then attended a private cremation before returning to Kimberley Stadium, where many of the mourners joined them for refreshments. Such was the size of the gathering that Saltash had erected a marquee on the pitch to accommodate the numbers. Kimberley Stadium had also been the stage for a moving tribute to Tim last Saturday, when the largest crowd of the season gathered for the game against Tavistock, which was played at the request of his family. Representatives of the Football Association, Cornwall FA and the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League were present at a ground where the centre section of the main grandstand was adorned with dozens of floral tributes. Saltash vice-chairman Colin Phillips did well to hold his emotions in check as he read the tribute to his manager, which began with him thanking Tavistock for their co-operation. 'Football in the South West has lost a legend and a well-respected team manager who has always been successful and held in high esteem at all his previous clubs. 'I ask you to join in a rapturous round of applause as we say farewell, goodnight and thank you to a wonderful man and the perfect sportsman,' concluded Phillips as emotions reached a peak. Needless to say the applause was loud, long and from the heart.