2:40pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Hannah Upton
HUNDREDS of mourners bid a final farewell to former Clarets and Rovers keeper 'Big Adam' Blacklaw today.
Former teammates were among friends and family that packed Holy Trinity Church in Barnoldswick.
He died at home on February 28 following a long illness, aged 72.
Adam helped Burnley to their First Division Championship victory in the 1959/60 season.
He later played for Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool.
Before the service, a bagpiper led the funeral cortege along Church Street, passing the Cross Keys pub which Adam ran with his wife Sheila before his retirement.
Pallbearers and family members wore claret and blue ties and scarves in tribute.
Former Burnley, Manchester United and England star John Connelly led the tributes and said the number of people at the church showed Adam's popularity.
John told of their rise through the youth ranks together.
"He wasn't just a team mate. He was a good friend. I remember one particular away game at Sheffield Wednesday where he gave a man of the match display.
"He played them by himself that day," he said.
John particularly remembered with fondness his Sunday lunches at the Blacklaw family home.
Adam played 383 games for the Clarets between 1956 and 1967.
He also starred in the 1962 FA Cup final at Wembley and three times for Scotland.
Other former teammates at the funeral included Brian Pilkington, Colin McDonald, John Angus, Trevor Meredith and Andy Lochhead.
Burnley chief executive Paul Fletcher and chairman Barry Kilby were also present along with former Burnley manager Stan Ternent.
Another former teammate, Bill Dodds gave an emotional speech.
He said: "Adam was a Scottish boxing champion, which came in handy when we went out on a Saturday night.
"But he also had a kind heart and not many people know he used to pick up a young disabled boy, take him to the matches and then home again.
"That was the sort of guy he was."
In a tearful farewell to his old friend and drinking buddy, Bill said: "Until we meet again, remember it's your round."
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