A hard-working family man who built homes for generations of West Cumbrian families and was a legend of two of the area’s football clubs was bid an emotional final goodbye at his funeral.

Bill Robson Snr was a former Workington Reds star who played in the club’s famous game against the Manchester United Busby Babes weeks before the Munich air disaster in 1958 and later founded Whitehaven AFC, serving as the club’s president since 1994.

Hundreds of mourners packed St Bridget’s Church in Moresby yesterday to pay their respects to Mr Robson, who died last Wednesday aged 87.

A eulogy given by The Reverend Paul Kerry highlighted the three most important things in Mr Robson’s life – work, football and family.

Mr Kerry said: “His philosophy for work was simple; if all you could do was sweeping the floor, then be the best floor-sweeper there was.

“And when times were tough just work harder and you will win through.

“If, as Bill himself would say, the measure of a man is his work, I’m standing next to Goliath.”

Mr Kerry told the story of when a former colleague of Mr Robson started a new job and, hearing his new workmates bemoan their “hard shift”, said: “Hard shift? Work two weeks with Bill Robson, that’ll show you a hard shift.”

A builder, Mr Robson dug out the family home on Hillcrest in Whitehaven by hand.

Granddaughter Grace Law said: “Shirley says that diamonds are forever, but you are my diamond and will forever be my hero.”

Mr Kerry revealed Mr Robson had shunned an offer to become a professional footballer from Bill Shankly to stay in West Cumbria.

“He wanted to be a builder with his brothers,” Mr Kerry said:

A tribute from Dave Hodgson, who played for Whitehaven AFC as a child and now coaches youth football teams at the club, was read by Mr Kerry.

He said: “A sad time for the club but one that will give you time to reflect on all the amazing things he has done for Whitehaven Amateurs and all local football around here.”

Mr Robson was carried into the church as Time To Say Goodbye was played. He was carried outside to It’s Impossible.

You’ll Never Walk Alone, the Gerry and the Pacemakers hit which is synonymous with Liverpool FC, was sung.

A video featuring pictures from Mr Robson’s life was played at the end of the service, soundtracked by The Beatles’ song In My Life.

The service was followed by interment in the churchyard next to Mr Robson’s late wife, Cilla.

The News & Star attended Mr Robson’s funeral with the permission of his family.