Footballing greats attend funeral of former Carlisle United boss

Manchester United greats, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, are among the mourners at former Carlisle United manager Harry Gregg's funeral.

He passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family at the age of 87 on Monday.

Gregg was well-known for his career as a Northern Ireland international and Manchester United goalkeeper, as well as the "hero of Munich".

He helped pull survivors from the wreckage of the Munich Air Disaster, including Sir Bobby Charlton, Dennis Violet, a 20-month-year old baby and her badly injured, pregnant mother.

Harry Gregg survived the Manchester United Munich Air Disaster. Credit: PA

Harry Gregg managed Carlisle United from 1986 to 1987. On the morning of his death, the club tweeted: "He was the Hero of Munich - returning to the plane repeatedly to help others in what he described as a ‘spur of the moment’ action.

"Thoughts with the family and friends of former manager Harry Gregg this morning."

Gregg became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when Sir Matt Busby’s United paid Doncaster £23,000 in 1957 and he was voted the best keeper at the World Cup a year later.

The funeral took place at St Patrick’s Parish Church in Coleraine, Co Londonderry on Friday.