Mark Hughes carries coffin at son's funeral as Sir Alex Ferguson and other football legends pay tribute

Mark Hughes carries coffin at son's funeral as Sir Alex Ferguson and other football legends pay tribute Legendary figures from football — including former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson — arrived to pay tribute to Alex Hughes who passed suddenly and unexpectedly on June 19 Grieving football legend Mark Hughes has carried his son’s coffin into church after his tragic death aged 38. Legendary figures from the game - including former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson - arrived to pay tribute to Alex Hughes, who passed suddenly and unexpectedly on June 19. Ex-United striker Hughes, 62, carried the coffin alongside other family members including Alex's brother Curtis and his father-in-law, David Pollock, who delivered an emotional eulogy. Walking just behind was Alex’s wife Jess, his childhood sweetheart since the pair met at school 21 years ago, and their two young children, Sebastian and Leonardo. During the eulogy, David spoke about how proud Alex was of his boys who have started pointing to the skies after scoring goals. He told them: “He’s so proud of your determination, he's so proud of your passion. He will always be watching you in spirit, watching you score goals, watching you make tackles with every game. “And when you look up and do your celebrations, which I know you’ve been doing already, he'll be watching over you, high in the sky.” Hundreds of mourners packed into St Peter's Church in Prestbury, Cheshire, including Mike Phelan, Martin Edwards, Bryan Robson and Ryan Giggs. Grimsby Town boss David Artell led a delegation from the Mariners, where Alex was working as player recruitment lead before he died. Other football attendees included Martin Keown and Jon Walters, our sister title the Manchester Evening News reports. Earlier in the service, Alex's brother, Curtis, wearing sunglasses as he tried to hold back tears, delivered a moving tribute to his brother, recalling how they had been best men at each other’s weddings. He said: “Being best man wasn't something Alex did for a day; it was who he was. Some people fill a room with noise, Alex filled it with warmth, loyalty and kindness. To Xenna [Alex and Curtis's sister] and me, he was our annoying older brother. People often look for signs when they lose someone, something to tell them they're still around. “I was lucky enough to have mine. Just two days after we said goodbye to Alex, I was trying to distract myself with work when a bee decided to fly straight into me. In that moment, I just knew it was Alex doing his best to annoy me just another time.” Alex had brief spells as a footballer for Stockport and Wrexham, but continued his career in the game, beginning by working with his dad at Blackburn as a performance analyst in 2007. David said: “His true sporting passion, as we all well know, was football. He loved everything football. A lifetime of football. As a toddler, he'd go to sleep holding his football. He loved playing football, he loved talking football, he loved coaching football. “His knowledge and understanding of football was amazing. He loved working in football. He loved how his career was developing. He loved all the clubs he represented, and it's nice to see so many of you here today. “He loved his time at Grimsby. Alex was excited about all the new players that had come for the season ahead. Grimsby are dedicating their first game of the season to Alex. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner. "He and the boys have shirts from every club that Alex and Mark represented. Alex particularly loved working with his dad. When people asked Alex who he supported, expecting him to say his true love, manchester-united-fc>Manchester United no, he always said the same thing, 'I support my dad’.” A tribute from dad Mark and wife Jill said: “Alex, thank you for giving us the privilege of being your mum and dad. Thank you for every smile, every laugh, every hug, every precious memory. You were, and always will be, our perfect son. We love you beyond words. We always have and we always will. Mum and Dad.”