THE funeral of former Accrington Stanley manager and chairman Eric Whalley will take place tomorrow afternoon.

The service will take place at St Wulstan’s Church in Great Harwood from 1pm.

As a mark of respect, the offices at the Store First Stadium will be closed all day and the flag at the ground has been flying at half mast in memory of Mr Whalley, pictured above right, who passed away at the weekend.

The funeral will be family flowers only and donations can be made to the charity Cancer Research UK.

Mr Whalley was also a former football player and was well known on the Lancashire League cricket circuit during the summer.