The football fraternity and the people of Liverpool turned out in force to pay respect to Howard Kendall as the funeral of the most successful manager in Everton’s history was held at the city’s Anglican cathedral on Thursday.
Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson were among the thousands of mourners at the funeral of Kendall, who died on 17 October aged 69. Both were applauded into the cathedral by the crowd gathered outside. Former Everton managers Gordon Lee, Joe Royle and Colin Harvey, who was also part of Everton’s famed ‘Holy Trinity’ midfield alongside Kendall and the late Alan Ball, were in attendance with the current manager, Roberto Martínez, and the club’s entire playing staff from academy to senior level.
Tony Book and Mike Summerbee represented Manchester City, whom Kendall managed before returning to Everton in 1990, and Trevor Francis paid his respects to his former Birmingham City colleague. Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler – both boyhood Evertonians – Ian Callaghan and Ian Ayre, chief executive, were part of the Liverpool contingent.
Royle gave the first of five eulogies in the two hour service. “Howard was always immaculate, an immaculate dresser and an immaculate player who perfected the well-timed tackle, the run into the box and the volley,” said Kendall’s friend and team-mate from the 1970 championship winning side.
“For once you’ve got your timing wrong, Howard, my friend. You’ve left us far too early.”
