Fans pay their last respects to a true man of the people

Ex-Pool favourite Charlie Adam, @Charlie26Adam: “Thoughts today are with the family and friends of Jimmy Armfield as his funeral takes place. Sadly I can’t be there as I’m training ahead of Saturday’s game. I’m sure there will be a massive turn-out for a special man.”

Jimmy’s son, Duncan Armfield, @ArmfieldDuncan: “Saying au revoir today until we meet again, you’ll always be with me. Love you Dad x”

Blackpool FC, @BlackpoolFC: “One last time at Bloomfield Road. We will miss you greatly, Gentleman Jim.”

Bolton Wanderers FC, @OfficialBWFC: “The thoughts of all at Bolton Wanderers Football Club are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Jimmy Armfield today as our former manager is laid to rest. #BWFC”

English Football League, @EFA: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the great Jimmy Armfield, ahead of today’s funeral service. #FootballFamily”

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden, @GordonMarsden: “Huge privilege to have been at Jimmy Armfield’s funeral at St Peter’s in Blackpool today. Wonderful service - full justice to all his virtues & achievements - touching family tributes & from Gordon Taylor @PFA . Crowds outside & at Bloomfield Rd in the rain told it all”

Blackpool Council, @BpoolCouncil: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Jimmy Armfield today. Members of the public are invited to sign a book of condolence at the Town Hall, which will be available between 9am-5pm on weekdays.”

Former Gazette editor Jon Rhodes, @GazetteRhodes: “My thoughts are with the family and many friends of Jimmy Armfield today. A true legend of the game and a hero to town he loved”

Old Arnoldians, @OldArnoldians: “The Arnold School flag flying for the first time at @AKSSchool to commemorate the amazing life of Mr Jimmy Armfield. We have received so many kind words from OA’s, he really was a part of the Arnold spirit. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends on this day.”

Chris Hull, @mrchrishull: “A sad day but one also to rejoice that as Blackpool fans we’ve lived at the same time as Jim. People like Jimmy Armfield come around once every thousand years. Fully expecting Jim’s hearse to overlap the traffic on Bloomfield Road one final time at noon today. #OneJimmyArmfield”

Nancy Goodrich, vicar of Holy Trinity in Bolton-le-Sands, @revgoodrich: “The funeral of footballing legend and church organist #JimmyArmfield takes place today in his beloved St Peter’s Church, Blackpool, the most deprived parish in England. Prayers for his vicar @TracyCtroy as she leads the service”

Alex Cowdy, @AlexCowdy: “A day to celebrate the life and pay respects to the great Jimmy Armfield. Blackpool and football is a poorer place without Jim. RIP my friend and the friend of all Blackpool fans.”

National Football Museum, @FootballMuseum: “Our thoughts today are with the family and friends of Jimmy Armfield, @BlackpoolFC’s one-club hero and a true gentleman of the game.”

Jacqui Morley, @jacquimorley: “Tribute to a great player and a greater humanitarian. Thank you @BBCLancashire for making us part of it. We’ll carry Jimmy Armfield in our hearts forever. We need a special Jimmy Armfield award adding to those @BBCLancashire Community Heroes Awards...”

Former chairman of the Blackpool Supporters’ Association Glenn Bowley, @PastorBowley: “wonderful coverage of #JimmyArmfield funeral on @BBCLancashire public service broadcasting at its best. huge well done and thank you to @GrahamLiver @phillancs chissie, sally naden, gary hickson and others”

Fleetwood Town reporter Rosie Swarbrick, @rosieswarb: “Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley in attendance at Jimmy Armfield’s funeral today. He joined PNE’s Peter Ridsdale and Bobby Charlton among other notable names in football at the church this afternoon. RIP Jimmy.”

Sharon Schofield, @sharonschofiel2: “Never thought I would step in Bloomfield Road just yet . One man changed that today RIP Jimmy Armfield A legend and a Gentleman Goodnight Godbless”

Andy Bayes, @AndyBayes: “Jimmy Armfield’s sons have inherited his talent for public speaking. Straight from the heart. Wonderful stories of Jim.”

Sandcastle Waterpark, @SandcastleWater: “1935 - 2018 Thankyou for the memories”