Mourners paid their respects as a diehard football fan made his last visit to his beloved club. The funeral of life-long Rochdale FC supporter Stephen 'Moggy' Murray was held on Friday following his death aged 68.
Carrying flags and wearing scarves and Rochdale shirts with 'Moggy 68' on the back, family, friends and fellow Dale supporters marched from Spotland Stadium to St Clement's Church, where a service was held.
Moggy, a retired window cleaner and an ever-present on the Spotland terraces since he was teenager, was also a well-known charity fundraiser in Rochdale. Over the years he raised thousands of pounds through sponsored walks, often with his ladder on his shoulder.
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Causes he supported included Springhill Hospice, a campaign to have a statue of boxer Jock McEvoy erected in Rochdale and the Robyn Brooks Foundation. In 2005 he walked from John O'Groats to Land's End, visiting football grounds along the way. And he even stopped off at Gretna Green to 'marry' his ladder, which he named 'Alli' in a sponsored publicity stunt that featured on breakfast TV.
Speaking to the Rochdale Observer at the time he said: "Alli and I never realised so many people would be so interested in our story and we're very touched by the concern. I'm looking forward to the interview, but Alli is a bit camera shy so she is very nervous."
Moggy's sister Michelle Butterworth said: "He was such a character. So full of life.
"He was always a very sentimental person and he would do anything for his family or friends. And from that it just sort of built up.
"If anyone in Rochdale needed help he was there. He was more than a brother to me, he was like my dad
"So many people have been in touch and so many people are doing things for him. It's an honour that he was so well thought of."
Moggy was born in Halifax but moved to Rochdale as a young boy, growing up on the Belfield estate. A minute's applause was held in his honour during the 68th minute of Rochdale's game against Grimsby Town last month.
Rochdale FC said: "We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Stephen 'Moggy' Murray on Friday." Dale fans have also paid tribute to Moggy.
In a statement following his death Rochdale Supporters Trust said: "Everyone knew Moggy. A character, larger than life, however you wanted to describe him, they don’t make them like Moggy anymore. 100% Dale through and through.
"It was only last Saturday that he came up to the Trust desk and offered to go round the Ratcliffe and Dale Bars with a bucket collecting for our legal funds. He started speaking, and the bar shut up to listen.
"It's what you did when Moggy started speaking. Huge condolences to his family and friends."
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