A fitting farewell for Mr Fleetwood Town Ted Lowery

A floral memorial in honour of Ted Lowery

He was famed for handing out pre-match sweets and for only allowing the best biscuits with his legendary brews.

And the origins of Ted Lowery’s sweet tooth were revealed as Fleetwood Town said goodbye to their most ardent supporter.

Town chairman Andy Pilley, head coach John Sheridan and the whole of the current first team were joined by stars from across the ages as they bade farewell to the 87-year-old, who passed away after a short illness last month.

The first team and staff had formed a guard of honour at the club’s Highbury base for the vice-president’s hearse as he made his final journey to Carleton Crematorium.

Mr Lowery’s favourite player Jon Parkin, now at York City, joined club captain Nathan Pond and current players Ash Eastham, Bobby Grant, Cian Bolger and Chris Neal in carrying the coffin into the crematorium.

Mourners included ex-boss Graham Alexander and his old assistant Chris Lucketti who joined Fleetwood fans and Lowery’s family to hear club chaplain Rev George Ayoma lead a service remembering his life.

They heard how the long-serving volunteer, who had been involved at the club for more than 30 years, will forever be known as Mr Fleetwood Town.

Rev Ayoma read tributes from past players David Ball, Conor McLaughlin and Jamie Milligan among a plethora of other ex-Town men who paid their respects to the legend.

Head of player pathways and Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley at Ted Lowery's funeral

The chaplain also read poignant tributes from Pond, striker Wes Burns and chief executive Steve Curwood with club employee Tony Collier’s extracts reminding all of Ted’s custard cream and bourbon match-day rule.

Club historian David Mitchell also added some words but it was an insight into Ted’s life away from the pitch and his youth that touched the packed congregation, many who had never heard about Ted’s life before Town.

Mr Lowery is known for his 30-plus years volunteering at the club but it was the tales of his childhood from his younger brothers Harry and Eric that delighted wellwishers.

From his tales of playing alongside Harry as a teen to Harry’s reminiscing of the childhood book Ted wrote in ode to the jam butties they used to munch in the happy home they shared with mother Annie and dad Arthur in the 1930s and 40s.

Fleetwood players Ash Eastham, Nathan Pond and Cian Bolger help ex-forward Jon Parkin, Bobby Grant and Chris Neal carry Ted Lowery's coffin into the crematorium

Steve Curwood reminisced about wife Beryl’s home-made flapjacks while Pond said: “It was a fitting service to a wonderful football man.

“It was great to see so many people in attendance.

“Ted clearly touched the lives of many and he will be sadly missed by all.

“He will always be Mr Fleetwood Town.”