LIVERPOOL FC legends gathered to bid farewell to goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence at St Elphin’s Parish Church today, Tuesday.

The 77-year-old, who was born in Ayrshire before moving to Warrington as a child, was laid to rest this afternoon after his death on Tuesday, January 9.

Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler and Roger Hunt were among those who paid their respects at his funeral this lunchtime.

Former Culcheth Secondary School pupil Tommy plied his trade for Stockton Heath Albion, now known as Warrington Town, before signing for Liverpool aged 17.

He would go on to make 390 appearances for the Reds and won two First Division titles plus an FA Cup with the club as legendary manager Bill Shankly’s first choice goalkeeper in the 1960s.

A wire factory worker who won three caps for Scotland, Tommy returned to Rylands as a quality controller after his playing career ended.

Warrington Guardian:

Also present at St Elphin’s were Ian St John, Phil Thompson and Gary McAllister, while former England international Ray Clemence paid tribute to his fellow goalkeeper.

The 69-year-old said: “On the field he was a professional – he was somebody I sat in the stand and watched for two-and-a-half years and learnt an awful lot from, because he was the first sweeper keeper.

“He was the first sweeper keeper and also probably the best sweeper keeper there was at the time.

“That was a totally different game to the way I’d been playing before when I was at Scunthorpe.

“I had the chance to watch him and learn what it was to be a Liverpool goalkeeper – the concentration levels you had to have and how to work behind a back four that was pushed so far up the field.

“Off the pitch he was a wonderful gentleman – he used to come into training, do his work, have a bath and go back to Culcheth to play golf.

“He was a lovely man and he was always ready with a laugh and a joke.”