Mourners turned out to say goodbye to a highly-respected Liverpool FC scout - who brought almost 40 young footballers through the professional ranks in the city - at his funeral today.
About 200 people assembled near to dad-of-three Arthur Edward's family home in Halewood this afternoon to pay their respects.
Friends and neighbours were out holding flags and banners for the 81-year-old who counted Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher as his pals.
Relatives in the front garden handed out red and blue balloons to onlookers and the crowd burst into applause as it left Beechwood Avenue.
Among the banners were some which said, "We are the famous, the famous Kopites," and another which read, " Liverpool FC, born on the banks of the Mersey, Halewood Reds."
One banner referenced 15-year-old Megan Hurley, the Halewood schoolgirl who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
That said: "Beauty Queen Meg, Megan Hurley Foundation, YNWA."I
Some Everton banners were also seen, and the hearse was accompanied by a framed picture of Mr Edwards holding aloft a Liverpool scarf.
The 30-year scout, who worked alongside Steve Heighway, passed away in Kingswood Manor nursing home in Woolton on May 23 from kidney failure.
He had first been admitted to Whiston Hospital at the end of January with anaemia problems, but was moved to the south Liverpool home in March to guard against the spread of coronavirus.
Last week, the ECHO reported how Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Jurgen Klopp recorded video messages for Mr Edwards as he lay unwell at Whiston Hospital.
And another heartfelt clip came from former Liverpool player John Welsh, who formed a father-son type bond after he helped bring the Liverpudlian midfielder through the ranks.
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Welsh said: "You really are special to me, you really mean a lot...
"...I wanted you to know that I love you, you're special to me and always will be, you've got a special place in my heart."
Mr Edwards, most recently of Halewood, was married to childhood sweetheart Margaret, 77, for 57 years, and had three children, Sandra, 50, Stephen and Paul.
He worked on the Ford's car plant for about 40 years as a time keeper in the company offices, managed an all-conquering junior football side called Halewood Juniors before moving onto Liverpool's Academy where he was employed as a scout for three decades.
One of 18 children himself, he also worked as a chaperone for the club, picking up young players from the airport and taking them to and from their accommodation.
Today, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, only 10 people were allowed to attend his funeral at Allerton Cemetery.
