Jimmy Hill's memorial service gets underway

The memorial service for former Coventry City manager Jimmy Hill, has started this evening at Coventry Cathedral.

A Guard of Honour has started proceedings, performed by the 10th Coventry Boys Brigade, of Queen’s Road Baptist Church.

The Eaton Boating song is to be performed by the Jaguar Land Rover Band - Hill introduced The Sky Blue Song which was sung to this tune.

The Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry, will open the service and will also give the closing words.

The first reading will be from Joe Elliott MBE, the former chairman of Coventry City Football Club, who headed up the committee which brought the Jimmy Hill statue at the Ricoh Arena to fruition.

After an instrumental ensemble, Jimmy's son Jamie will read a personal tribute.

Jamie described his father as a "real life, Roy of the Rovers", who was "Mr Football".

He said his father would be remembered best as an innovator of the game.

West End star, and life-long Coventry City fan Dave Willetts will perform the song "I’ll See You In My Dreams".

Tributes will then take place, firstly from Gordon Taylor OBE, the Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association and then Bobby Gould, the former player and manager of Coventry City Football Club.

Greg Dyke, Chairman of the Football Association, Chris Anderson, the Executive Vice-Chairman of Coventry City Football Club, and football commentator John Motson OBE, will all give individual speeches.

John Motson said it was impossible to sum up a life like Jimmy's, but that if he had to describe him in three words, it would be "innovator, instigator and an inspiration".

Dave Willetts will perform once again, this time singing "You Raise Me Up", before the closing words.

The Sky Blue Song will play to mark the end of the ceremony.

At 6pm ITV Central will be live at Coventry Cathedral, so be sure to tune in.