FAMILY members, former teammates, old adversaries and supporters packed into St Mary’s Lowe House this afternoon to say farewell to rugby league legend Roy Haggerty.

The former Saints and Great Britain packman, who died last month at the age of 58, was a hugely popular figure in the town and sporting circles.

And that was reflected in the massive turnout with hundreds lining North Road - many wearing Saints tops - to applaud the horse-drawn hearse as the coffin was taken into the church led by a lone piper playing Danny Boy.

Haggerty played at Saints from 1979-91 – and teammates of that era were strongly represented in church including four of his esteemed former captains - George Nicholls, Eric Chisnall, Harry Pinner and Chris Arkwright.

WATCH: The moment 12 doves are released in memory of Saints legend Roy Haggerty

One of the highlights of Haggerty’s long career at Saints was the 1984-85 season when they won the Lancashire Cup and Premiership Trophy – and there was a strong contingent from that squad with coach Billy Benyon, and teammates Barrie Ledger, Steve Peters, Neil Holding, Graham Liptrot, Peter Gorley, Paul Forber and Paul Loughlin in attendance.

And there were old foe too, with former Wigan greats Shaun Edwards and Andy Gregory paying their last respects as well as another Lance Todd Trophy winner from an earlier age – Ray Ashby.

The club were represented by Saints chairman Eamonn McManus, CEO Mike Rush and Foundation Director Steve Leonard.

And among the many other former players in attendance were Gary Connolly, Tommy Martyn, Chris Joynt, Bernard Dwyer, Alan Hunte, Clive Griffiths and Roy Mathias.

Fittingly the second hymn chosen was Wembley anthem Abide With Me.

The eulogies were read by Father Tom Gagie, Roy's sister Pauline and wife Wendy, with a poem read by daughter Danielle.

Fr Tom charted Roy's life and sporting prowess - including some of the well-wtold comedy moments before describing the popular sporting son of Thatto Heath as "a one off."

Pauline recalled with warmth stories of her brother growing up and getting into scrapes, before, in what was the most poignant part of the service, inviting the congregation to sing the first verse of Oh When the Saints...

And the real feeling coming back from those who played alongside him or had the privilege to watch him from the terraces showed that we were only too glad that Roy was in that number, when the Saints went marching in.