The funeral of one-eyed anti-gang mentor Barrington 'Baz' Patterson attracted hundreds of mourners on Friday, with boxing legend Frank Bruno among guests seen attending the service at Birmingham Cathedral.

The much-loved community figure received huge rounds of applause as his cortege left Birmingham City FC's ground, while fans and loved ones set off flares and waved blue and white balloons.

The charity worker and former thug, known affectionately as One Eyed Baz, died suddenly from a massive heart attack, aged 56, on March 22.

A huge banner reading 'RIP Baz' and bearing a picture of the ex-hooligan was unfurled from the roof of the Birmingham City football stadium.

The city was united in grief as crowds upon crowds - including a biker gang - turned up to pay tribute to Baz, who was a member of Birmingham City's Zulu Warriors hooligan group in his youth.

He became a shining example to younger people after he turned his life around to become a famous actor, mentor and dedicated charity worker.

The funeral procession left his beloved team's St Andrew's ground at 9am today.

It then made its way to St Philip's in Cathedral Square, off Colmore Row, for a 10am service.

So many well-wishers wanted to pay their respects to the former MMA fighter and kickboxer that his family issued wristbands to those granted access to the service.

Widow Tracey urged anyone without a pass not to attend the cathedral and said they should instead visit St Andrew's or watch online.

The ex-thug, nicknamed One-Eyed Baz because he was blind in his left eye, was part of Birmingham City's hooligan firm the Zulu Warriors in the 1980s.

He starred on Danny Dyer's TV show Deadliest Men, with the EastEnders regular calling Barrington one of the most terrifying people he had ever encountered.

The hooligan-turned-activist from Handsworth, Birmingham, died after a heart attack at around 6am on March 22.

His partner Tracey said at the time: 'Paramedics worked for over an hour to save him. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. Our hearts are broken.'

He was blinded when he was a child after his sister threw a can at him. However, he still managed to fight in kickboxing bouts across the globe when he grew up.

He also made an appearance in 2006 documentary The Real Football Factories and acted in 2014 crime film The Guvnors.

Although his early life was marred with violence, Barrington turned his life around.

He became a community figure who helped people fight knife crime and homelessness.

His last tweet before he died was promoting his activism after he visited a school in London to warn children not to join crime gangs.

Tributes poured in from the former hooligans as well as from the footballing community following his death.

Former Zulu Warrior Tyson Leon, said: 'He was a Birmingham legend.

'He lived for his family, he lived for the Blues. He did things no other black bloke had done.'

Meanwhile, Birmingham City FC said: 'The Club are saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong Bluenose, Barrington Patterson.

'All of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. May you rest in peace, Baz.'

Source: Daily Mail

Powered by NewsAPI.org