Hundreds attend funeral of popular young man

The friends of Danny Wilson let off red and white balloons as the funeral cortege passed through their guard of honour

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Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of a popular amateur football player from Rochdale today (Thursday 10 February 2011).

Danny Wilson, 22, from Syke, died on Sunday 30 January. Today his family and friends turned out to pay a poignant final farewell to the young man they knew and loved.

Danny was a keen footballer and an avid Manchester United fan. His team mates from Syke FC formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the Rochdale Crematorium and as the funeral cortege passed through they let off red and white balloons in his honour.

Other well wishers donned Manchester United football shirts reading “Danny Wilson 22 Love You.”

Speakers were erected outside the crematorium to relay the service to those who could not get inside.

Danny’s friends were keen to give him the send off he deserved and last week they hosted a fundraising football match and auction to raise funds for his family.

At the fundraising event Danny’s mum, Jill Wilson said: “He was a fantastic lad, the best son you could ever have.”

Danny’s dad, Alan, added: “He was fun loving, happy, brilliant, there aren’t enough words to describe him. He would have done anything for anyone; you never had to ask him twice.”

The manager of Syke FC, Sean Matthews, said: “He was a popular lad and he touched so many people with his cheeky smile.”