HUNDREDS of mourners gathered yesterday afternoon to offer a claret and amber farewell to Bradford City’s all-time top goalscorer, Bobby Campbell.

Many wore Bradford City scarves as they packed into Huddersfield Parish Church, bursting into spontaneous applause as anecdotes of his life were relayed.

The Reverend Rachel Firth told mourners that Mr Campbell had taken his own life adding “there is no shame, only sadness” and saying his death had “happened at the wrong time and in the wrong way”.

The service paid tribute to the striker who had scored 143 goals in 320 appearances for the club.

Former team mate Barry Campbell, speaking at the service on behalf of Bradford City Football Club, said: “Today is a sad day but I have many fond memories of Bobby. My first encounter with him was a warm one, he had put Deap Heat in my underpants. He was always the practical joker.

“He was larger than life, a top, top man. To me he always was and will always remain a legend.”

A wake was held at Valley Parade where rock band Storm played, headed by former Huddersfield Town greenkeeper Ian Roper.

He said: “Bobby was quite a character. I was at Town when he broke his leg. It was great that he managed to play again.

“We used to play at his club, Lindley Working Men’s Club. He was a great guy and today is a sad day.”

Also attending the wake was Mark Lawn, former joint-chairman of the Bantams. He said: “Today has been a celebration of Bobby’s life and I pass on my condolences to his family. I know what they are going through and my prayers are with them.

“Bobby was a true legend; a hero for a lot of young men at the time. It was his scoring that got us on that move to go into the First Division at it was at the time.”

City fan Paul Mann added: “He was a legend. I will never forget that goal against Liverpool in an FA Cup match.”

Born in Belfast, Campbell began his career at Aston Villa in 1974 before moving on to Huddersfield and then Sheffield United. After a brief return to Huddersfield, he signed for Halifax and then joined City in December 1979, going on to make over 300 appearances. Campbell left the Bantams in 1986 for Wigan and retired from football two years later.

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