Harry Gregg’s family issues open invitation to funeral in Coleraine

The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper’s funeral will take place at St Patrick’s Church in Coleraine at noon on Friday.

His family today issued an open invitation for members of the public who wish to attend the service to come along.

There will be no access to the church before 11am.

The funeral cortege will travel from Articlave Village, at 11.15am, to Coleraine town centre for the funeral.

Gregg, a hero of the Munich air disaster, died on Monday at the age of 87.

After his death was announced Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson were amongst those to pay tribute.

He was described as “a fantastic goalkeeper but more importantly an incredible human being” by Sir Bobby Charlton, who survived the Munich air disaster in 1958 when Gregg pulled him and other passengers from the plane’s burning wreckage.

Gregg rescued United team-mates Charlton and Dennis Viollet from the wreckage, as well as a 20-month-old baby and her badly injured, pregnant mother.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was “deeply saddened” by Gregg’s death.

“Harry was a man of great character and a true legend at our club,” said Sir Alex.