HUNDREDS of mourners paid their last respects to tragic Immingham teenager William Smith by wearing football shirts at his funeral.
Most of the 500 mourners wore shirts as a mark of respect to the keen Liverpool football fan, whose funeral service was held at Immingham's Trinity Methodist Church.
With a capacity number of mourners, many of the 14-year-old's classmates at Oasis Academy Immingham sat cross-legged in the church, while the neighbouring church hall was also packed to capacity.
Others stood outside, hugging one another in grief at the loss of an "amazing and brilliant" young man.
As reported, he died two weeks ago, just five months after his mother Alison Overton lost her long battle with leukaemia.
His coffin – coloured red to mark his devotion to Liverpool FC – was carried in to the church, followed by his dad Dean and brother Samuel, 13, who both wore Liverpool strips, despite his dad being a devoted Wolves fan.
A tribute, read by the Reverend Katie Deakins on behalf of William's dad, said: "You were an amazing boy who would have grown up to be an incredible young man.
"I know this because you were so much like your lovely mum and as you know she was the most amazing and courageous person I have ever known.
"I know you are not on your own but with your mum, who will take care of you now and I know we have two angels up there watching over us.
"I will love and miss you forever my wonderful son but you will be in my heart and my thoughts forever.
"There is one thing I can say that no other man on this earth can: 'William Thomas Smith was my son' and nobody can ever take that away from me.
"I cannot believe how lucky and how blessed I am to have had you in my life even if it was only a short while. I really had been given a miracle – my miracle son."
His aunt Kellie also paid tribute in words spoken by Mrs Deakins. She told of her heartbreak at losing her nephew.
She said: "I have to believe that some day, I do not know where and when, but I will hold you in my arms again and hear your voice.
"For now I have to keep reminding myself of the good times we shared and this gets me through the days."
She recalled the sleepovers at her home enjoyed by William and his brother Samuel.
She added: "I have to believe you are with your mum, who never wanted to leave you. She needs you with her and I am sure you are now clutched in her arms and both smiling."
The songs played at the funeral service included Rihanna's Diamonds and Barry Polisar's Me And You.
William was carried out to the Liverpool FC anthem You Will Never Walk Alone, by Gerry And The Pacemakers.
Floral tributes in the shape of two footballs and one in the shape of a pizza were carried in the hearse to Grimsby Crematorium.
Follow us on Facebook and TwitterVIEW PICTURE GALLERIES www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pictures
