Funeral of Carlisle United great Ron 'Ginger' Thompson takes place

The funeral of Carlisle United great Ron 'Ginger' Thompson took place in the city this afternoon.

The hearse carrying his coffin made its way past Brunton Park giving fans a chance to pay their last respects to the man who played more than 400 games for United between 1951 and 1964. He died earlier this month at the age of 88.

Chairman Andrew Jenkins said: “Ron was from a group of players who lived and breathed Carlisle United at that time.

“On the pitch he was strong, aggressive, tough and single-minded. He didn’t score many as a wing-back, but I remember one of his goals – I’m sure it was against Crewe – when he let fly from the halfway line and the keeper had no chance.

“When you think back he played with lads like Ivor Broadis, Alf Ackerman, Alan Ashman and Jimmy Whitehouse, and he didn’t look out of place.

“A real club man, he was liked by everybody, and he takes a huge amount of credit for the work he did with George Walker in forming Carlisle City.

"He gave good, local lads a chance to play at a decent level and that club has gone from strength to strength ever since.

“That’s an example of how focused and determined he was with everything he did, and that’s what he brought to over 400 appearances and close to 13 seasons with our club.”