Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Sam Allardyce and Steve Bruce among mourners at funeral of Freddy Shepherd

Paying respects to Freddy ShepherdPaying respects to Freddy Shepherd
Paying respects to Freddy Shepherd
Ex-England captains Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer were among football's great and good at the funeral of former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd.

More than 500 people were at the service for the businessman, described as Mr Charisma by one of his three sons.

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Mr Shepherd, a devoted family man who helped revive Newcastle United's fortunes in the 1990s, died suddenly aged 75.

Paying respects to Freddy ShepherdPaying respects to Freddy Shepherd
Paying respects to Freddy Shepherd

Former Newcastle striker Shearer gave a eulogy, thanking Mr Shepherd for bringing him back to his home town team, allowing him to break the club's scoring record.

Also present were former United managers Sam Allardyce and Kenny Dalglish.

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Fans' favourites including Peter Beardsley, Les Ferdinand, Shay Given, Tim Krul and Steve Harper were at the service.

TV entertainer Dec Donnelly and his wife Ali were also at St George's Parish Church in Newcastle's leafy suburb of Jesmond.

Paying respects to Freddy ShepherdPaying respects to Freddy Shepherd
Paying respects to Freddy Shepherd

Rooney came to pay his respects as his agent Paul Stretford was in business with Mr Shepherd. The footballer attended with Alex Bruce, son of Steve Bruce - who also attended.

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During Shepherd's time at Newcastle, the club twice finished as Premier League runners-up, reached two FA Cup finals and enjoyed two Champions League campaigns.

He also oversaw the redevelopment of an ageing stadium, boosting its capacity from around 36,000 to more than 52,000.