Wolves say farewell to a legend

He will be remembered as one of the greatest players to have ever worn the Wolves shirt -- if not the all-time best. Whether it be for his prowess on the pitch or as a true gentleman and family man, Peter Broadbent was respected by all. And hundreds gathered at his funeral to pay their final respects and say thank you for the spectacular footballing memories he had left them with. Crowds of fans gathered outside Molineux to applaud the great as the funeral procession made its way past the ground, stopping briefly, before making its way to St Peter's Collegiate Church yesterday. The star of the famous Wolves side of the 1950s died after a long battle with Alzheimer's, aged 80. And tributes have continued to pour in for the star, with fans labelling his talent on the football pitch as 'unreal' -- comparing him to some of the game's all-time greatest players. Relatives gathered alongside Mr Broadbent's former team-mates, players and dignitaries for yesterday's funeral, with fellow Wolves legends Ron Flowers and Malcolm Finlayson giving readings. Hymns Jerusalem and Abide With Me were played during the emotional service while Frank Sinatra's My Way accompanied the coffin being carried into the church. Wolves chaplain Rev David Wright, who led the service, said that it had been a 'celebration of his life and a thanksgiving for a family man and a wonderfully talented footballer'. Broadbent scored 145 goals in 497 games for Wolves from 1951-64 and won three League championships in 1954, 1958 and 1959 and the FA Cup in 1960. After spells with Shrewsbury Town, Aston Villa, Stockport County and Bromsgrove Rovers, he retired from football in 1971, and he and his wife Shirley ran a babywear shop in Halesowen for more than 30 years. Fans of the Wolves legend included the likes of George Best and Sir Alex Ferguson, while supporters who gathered to pay their final respects yesterday said he was a top player that should be remembered among the world's footballing greats. Mrs Broadbent, his wife of 57 years, said she had been 'overwhelmed' by public support since her husband's death. "I've had so much support from everyone, it's been wonderful and very touching. Peter would have loved it," she said. "As a little boy, he remembered Peter when he played for Wolves," she said.