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Footballers and boxers were among the sporting stars who turned out to pay their respects this afternoon to a well-known figure.
Former Norwich City Football Club chief scout Ronnie Brooks nurtured a generation of talent and inspired young sports stars through his work with the Canaries and while manager of the Norwich Lads' Club.
The former Sheriff of Norwich, 78, who lived in Hevingham, served as a Labour councillor on Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council.
At his funeral today at Norwich Cathedral, mourners heard how Mr Brooks was “a loss to us all and one of life's good guys”.
Among the congregation of four to five hundred people were boxer Herbie Hide, who was also a pallbearer, boxer Sam Sexton, ultra-athlete Jackson Williams, boxer Jon Thaxton and trainer Graham Everett.
From the world of football there was Dale Gordon, Bryan Gunn, Robert Fleck, Ken Brown, Jeremy Goss, Dave Stringer and Keith Webb.
Former Lord Mayor of Norwich Roy Blower said Mr Brooks' family should be justifiably proud of the huge contribution he had made to the history of Norwich and its people.
Graham Woodford, who was chairman of the Lads' Club when Mr Brooks was its manager, said his friend would be considered by some to be an old-fashioned individual who had high standards and expectations that he tried to instil in the young people he met from all walks of life.
He said: “He was passionate about everything he took on. He was a workaholic and nothing was too much trouble for Ronnie.”
Mr Brooks, who died from cancer earlier this month, was born in Bull Close Road, Norwich, and held many positions in his lifetime including Freeman of Norwich, magistrate, chairman of Lakenham Community Centre, and chairman of the governors at the Hewett School.
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I just had a look at the online paper and saw the above report of Ronnie's funeral, the picture showed the pallbearers carrying his coffin, one of them was Herbie Hide the boxer, and in front of him my brother, an accountant, and good friend of Ronnie's. Shows what a mix of people Ronnie knew.
He is another person who is a sad loss to the world.
Rest in Peace, Ronnie
Lizx
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