Wayne Rooney and Sam Allardyce arrive for funeral service of former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd

  • Freddy Shepherd passed away peacefully at the age of 76 at end of September
  • Those in the football world have paid their respects to ex-Newcastle chairman 
  • He is held in highest regard at Newcastle, where he oversaw success in the 90s

Everton striker Wayne Rooney and former England manager Sam Allardyce were in attendance at the funeral of Freddy Shepherd on Saturday.

Rooney and Allardyce came to pay their respects at St George's Church in Jesmond after the former Newcastle chairman passed away peacefully aged 76 at the end of September.

Shepherd is held in the highest regard at St James' Park and was notably responsible for bringing Alan Shearer to the club in a world-record deal in 1996 as well as convincing Kevin Keegan to take charge of the then-second division side in 1992. 


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Everton striker Wayne Rooney attended Newcastle Shepherd's funeral on Saturday

Everton striker Wayne Rooney attended Newcastle Shepherd's funeral on Saturday

Sam Allardyce was also in attendance at the funeral of the former Newcastle chairman

Sam Allardyce was also in attendance at the funeral of the former Newcastle chairman

Shepherd passed away peacefully at the end of September at the age of 76

Shepherd passed away peacefully at the end of September at the age of 76

Rooney's attendance at the funeral comes as he has just begun his community service

Rooney's attendance at the funeral comes as he has just begun his community service

Along with Sir John Hall, Shepherd took control of Newcastle in the dawn of the Premier League era in 1991.

He oversaw operations as chairman during a period in which they battled Manchester United for the title.

He left his role at the club in 2007 after selling his shares to Mike Ashley, who remains in charge, albeit controversially, to this day.

There were many other high-profile names in attendance, including Alan Shearer

There were many other high-profile names in attendance, including Alan Shearer

Television presenter Declan Donnelly arrives at the funeral with his wife Ali Astall 

Television presenter Declan Donnelly arrives at the funeral with his wife Ali Astall 

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given also came to pay his respects on the weekend

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given also came to pay his respects on the weekend

Peter Beardsley was also pictured arriving at the funeral on Saturday morning

Peter Beardsley was also pictured arriving at the funeral on Saturday morning

Rooney's attendance at Shepherd's funeral comes as the former England captain has just begun his 100 hours of community service following his drink-driving charge.

The 31-year-old striker has just started painting benches at a garden centre for disabled adults just three miles from his home in Cheshire. 

Furthermore, the likes of Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Shay Given, Kenny Dalglish and Steve Bruce also attended Shepherd's funeral on Saturday.

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce was also in attendance at St George's Church in Jesmond

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce was also in attendance at St George's Church in Jesmond

Kenny Dalglish was another notable football figure that came to pay his respects to Shepherd

Kenny Dalglish was another notable football figure that came to pay his respects to Shepherd

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul paid his respects on Saturday in Jesmond

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul paid his respects on Saturday in Jesmond