HUNDREDS of mourners dressed in black suits and Burnley Football Club scarves attended the funeral of a devoted Clarets fan who died suddenly aged 23.
Adam Donnelly, of Haywood Road, Accrington affectionately known as Harold to his friends was found dead at his home last week.
His best friend Ryan Van Noortwijk, 23, of Moorgate, Accrington has this week paid tribute to the man he describes as ‘bubbly and the life and soul of the party’.
Ryan, attended the popular Northumbria University Business and IT graduate’s funeral last Friday.
He said: "The church was completely full and there were people queuing to get in which really showed how popular he was. We had been friends for 14 years and I just can’t believe he is gone.
"He was larger than life and a real popular guy who would do anything for anyone."
More than 400 mourners attended the former Mount Carmel pupils Requiem Mass at St Joseph’s RC Church, in Accrington with many sporting Burnley Football Club scarves.
Flowers in his beloved claret and blue spelt out his name and the shirt of his favourite team.
Adam had watched the East Lancashire derby on the Sunday before he died and then had gone into Accrington with his friends.
Ryan added: "I had only seen him that weekend, we had been out and celebrated my birthday. Everyone who knew him has lost an important person from their lives. This doesn’t just affect me but everyone who knew him.
"At the funeral, me and a few of the lads had put something together to read out but none of us felt up to it. We waited until we were in the Peel Park Pub for the wake before we read out our tribute to him and told him how much we would miss him."
During the wake Ryan held a collection for Amnesty International the charity chosen for donation’s by Adam’s family.
He managed to raise £373 in his memory.
Burnley Football Club also paid tribute to Adam with a PA announcement last weekend and a tribute in their programme in recognition of Adam"s tremendous support.
A spokesman for the club said: "It is always extremely sad when we lose one of the Turf Moor ‘family’. Our thoughts are with Adam’s family and friends at this sad time."
