HUNDREDS of people turned out to pay their respects to popular Bolton Wanderers fan Andrew Leigh.

The crowd gathered outside Bolton Parish Church and displayed a Wanderers flag in tribute of their friend, known as Pud, who passed away on January 28 aged 50 following a battle with cancer.

Jason Carter was a close friend of Mr Leigh’s after meeting him through their mutual love for their local team.

He said: “Pud was the most generous, caring, selfless, hard-working, family-loving person you could get. He would do anything for anyone.

“He was Mr Bolton and Bolton Wanderers was his life and the players have been holding flags in memory of him so there’s a huge mutual respect there.”

Carl Grundy, aged 52, is landlord of The Vulcan Inn on Junction Road and knew Mr Leigh for 35 years.

He said: “He was a real good lad and I knew him for about 35 years. We used to go and watch all the club’s games together.

“We’ve been over the Thailand watching Wanderers with him, we’ve been to Canada, Texas and across Europe.

“We were friends and I knew him for a long, long time. He was a top lad and we’re seeing that today with the turnout.”

The crowd packed out the church and looked on as tributes were paid to Mr Leigh, including a speech by his daughter Olivia, who described her father as an “inspiration”.

Mr Leigh was carried out to the tune of The Wanderer by Dion as the congregation applauded.

Following the service, Mr Grundy said: “It was a great service and fitting for him. He was such a great lad.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger service. It’s absolutely fantastic. The respect for the man and his family is really special.”

Mr Leigh, from Horwich, was diagnosed last January, and was treated at The Christie in Manchester

The H and L Car Sales employee recently raffled off his personalised Bolton Wanderers number plates to raise money for the hospital.

The Vulcan Inn is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, February 11 in a bid to raise £20,000 for The Christie in Manchester.