THE flag at Burnley Football Club was at half mast today as a mark of respect for the funeral of ex-Claret William (Bill) White which was held today at Southport Crematorium.

Bill made two apearances in the championship winning season of 1959-60, playing in the final game against Manchester City. He died aged 64.

In all he made nine league appearances, scoring four goals, and played twice in the FA Cup.

His widow Winifred said: "He went into hospital on September 28 because he had jaundice and they operated but then he contracted MRSA (hospital superbug) and spent nine weeks in the intensive care unit of Ormskirk District General Hospital where he died on December 7."

This year he attended the opening of the Jimmy McIroy stand at Turf Moor and also the 40 years celebration of the league victory. The Liverpool-born player joined the Clarets in 1953, having previously completed his national service representing the King's Own Regiment football team in Hong Kong. He left for Wrexham in 1961 and later joined Chester.

He then became a Securicor worker before latterly, with Winifred, he ran a newsagent shop near to Liverpool Football Club where the club's legendary former manager Bob Paisley was a regular customer.

The couple have one daughter Louise who is married to Michael and is expecting her first child in April.

Bill was told of the news shortly before he went into hospital and when Louise found out she was expecting a boy she told him while he was on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

Winifred said: "Bill was William Henry and my daughter has said she may call her son Henry William. He certainly kicks a lot so we hope he takes after his granddad."

She said everyone had been marvellous about her husband's death and she was comforted by the many cards and flowers she had received.

After the funeral, the flowers were given to patients at Queen's Court Hospice in Southport.

A spokewoman for Burnley FC said: "We have sent a sympathy card and flowers and the flag is at half-mast today, unfortunately we were not able to send a representative from the club to the funeral."