Farewell to former keeper Kendall

Former Wolves footballers were among more than 1,000 mourners who packed a south Wales church to say a moving farewell to one of the club’s goalkeeping heroes.

Mark Kendall, who played for Wales’ Under-21s side, died earlier this month from a suspected heart attack aged just 49.

Among the mourners at yesterday’s funeral was former Tottenham manager Keith Burkinshaw and his assistant Peter Shreeve, who signed Kendall as an apprentice in July 1976.

He stayed with the London club for three years. Also at the service at St Theodore’s Church in Newport, Gwent, were former Wolves colleagues Ally Robertson, Robbie Dennison, Nigel Vaughan, Andy Thompson, Jon Purdie, Barry Powell and Phil Robertson. Wolves were officially represented by John Hendley, club journalist and historian, and a gold and black wreath was laid by members of the Former Players’ Association.

Dozens of police officers lined the route into the church as a mark of respect for the father-of-two who joined Gwent Police on hanging up his boots, winning two police commendations, one for confronting a man wielding a chainsaw. Just last year he was named national police trainer of the year.

The church was so full that hundreds of people had to stand outside where speakers were set up in the churchyard. Daughter Lori and son Lee, also a professional goalkeeper, gave tributes to their father during the servic e.

Ally Robertson said afterwards: “It was a lovely service.”