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England
captain David Beckham joined his former Manchester United
team-mates to pay his last respects at a funeral service for a
promising Old Trafford striker who died in a car crash.
The
Real Madrid star and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson were
among those mourning the death of 21-year-old Jimmy Davis, who
was killed on the M40 earlier this month.
The
pair were joined by representatives and players from United
and Watford FC, where the young player had been on a one-year
loan, for the service in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Around
500 people yesterday attended the private service at Redditch
Crematorium, including Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane,
Phil and Gary Neville, Diego Forlan and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
Beckham,
wearing a three-quarter length black mourning suit, white
shirt and black tie, arrived at the service in a
chauffeur-driven BMW approximately 15 minutes after the coach
carrying Sir Alex and his players.
Youth
footballers from both Old Trafford and Watford were also at
the funeral.
Davis,
an England under-20 international, was killed on the M40 in
Oxfordshire on August 9, the first day of the Nationwide
League season.
The
former pupil at Arrow Vale High School, Redditch, was
travelling to Watford's Vicarage Road ground for a game
against Coventry City when the accident happened.
The
game was postponed as a mark of respect.
In a
statement issued by police prior to the service, the deceased
player's mother and stepfather, Jenny and Paul Burton, thanked
everyone who had sent messages of condolence.
The
statement said: "We have had thousands of cards and
letters from friends, supporters and members of the public and
we would like to thank each and everyone of them for the kind
things they have said about Jimmy.
"Their
messages have meant so much to us during this nightmare that
we are living.
"They
have given us some hope and comfort."
Jimmy's
father Roger Davis and partner Sue Dixon, added: "We are
aiming to write to everyone to thank them for the presents and
kind messages.
"This
is clearly a very traumatic time for the whole family and we
would like to be able to celebrate the life Jimmy had with the
people who meant so much to him."
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