Former Coventry City Football Club Manager & Chairman Jimmy Hill was given a superb send off at a Memorial Service in Coventry tonight.
Just under two thousand City Supporters, former players, members of Coventry City including Tony Mowbray, people from the footballing and media world, packed out Coventry Cathedral and they heard Jimmy being dear to the heart of Coventry City and the City of Coventry
"A time for mourning but a time of celebration," said the Dean of The Cathedral before the Sky Blue Song was played on the bugle by the Boys Brigade.
Joe Elliott, who fronted the organising committee for this service as he did for the Jimmy Hill statue appeal, took to the pulpit, mentioning the Bristol City game in 1977 and how Jimmy had taken City into the top flight. He also spoke about Jimmy attending the last ever game at Highfield Road, the first at the Ricoh and the unveilling of his statue, which all included the singing of the Sky Blue Song,
Jamie Hill, Jimmy's son, was next up said that Jimmy's life consisted of football, charities and wifes and gave an excellent and really touching speech about a day in the life of Jimmy.
Next, there was music with Coventry singer Dave Willetts sang "I'll See You In My Dreams" whilst playing the Ukele which was followed by PFA Chairman Gordon Taylor speaking about Jimmy as a player and a trade unionist calling him football's Christopher Colombus and the debt owed to Jimmy by many, many footballers.
Former City player and manager Bobby Gould shared three stories of the 'Bearded Wonder', and Bobby said he owed every thing to him.
After another musical interlude. Greg Dyke, current Chairman of the Football Association before Chris Anderson, the MD of Coventry City FC. spoke about the parallel of football and Jimmy's ability to straddle both worlds. Jimmy provided Coventry City with its identity, changing it for the better said Anderson.
Next up was BBC Match Of The Day Commentator John Motson who spoke about Jimmy's timing amongst some brilliantly crafted stories including one about the Talbot shirts and Jimmy writing an Arsenal song,
Jimmy's legendary talent as an Innovater, Inspirator and inventor was mentioned in Motson's highly entertaining speech before Dave Willetts sang: "You Raise Me Up" and then it was time for the Sky Blue Song which brought a tear-jerking end to the proceedings.
Midlands Today coverage - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06zvmtt/midlands-today-12022016