Mourners pay their respects during Dave Cleary's final journey
and live on Freeview channel 276
Dozens gathered at Edge Hall Road - the venue where Cleary had cast his legacy in the Black and Amber - for the start of the funeral procession at lunchtime today.
Many more lined the streets of Orrell as the cortege made its way to St Theresa's Church in Up Holland.
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Hide AdHis coffin was draped with the Irish flag - Cleary played for the Irish Wolfhounds and the Irish Exiles, as well as Lancashire and the North of England - while flowers spelled out his nickname: 'Clearo'.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions only a small number of loved ones were able to attend the funeral, but many more watched a live stream of the service on Facebook.
Cleary, a former director of building firm Jackson Lloyd, starred for Orrell RU in the 80s and early-90s.
He died earlier this month, aged 59, leaving behind wife Cath and sons Matthew and Christian.
His family asked that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the British Heart Foundation.