Oxford United turned out in force yesterday for the funeral of kitman Ken Ridley.

Players, managers and staff – past and present – were among more than 250 people to pay their respects Mr Ridley, who died last week after a long battle with cancer.

The 68-year-old had been involved with the club for 27 years, but supported them for more than 40.

He only stopped working at the club about three weeks ago when he was unable to continue his duties.

Mr Ridley’s coffin was decorated in Oxford United colours, with the club’s emblem at the front and a football image on the side.

Assistant manager Mickey Lewis, one of many former U’s players who used to lodge with Mr Ridley and his wife of 47 years, Eileen, led the tributes at the service.

Paying tribute to his loyalty and sense of humour, Mr Lewis said: “Ken was honest, reliable and totally trustworthy.

“He told it how it was, and for that he had everyone’s respect.

“Who can forget the famous time when Ken was kitman and Oxford we were away to Watford, who played in yellow. He packed only our home shirts, which were yellow. I was youth team manager at the time, and was listening to the game on the radio with Ken when they announced that Oxford had been forced to wear Watford’s away kit as they had no change of shirts.

“The language in the car was colourful to say the least.

“But Ken had the last laugh as the next away game was at Norwich – who also play in yellow.

“He packed our away kit, but then laid a row of yellow shirts on the very top to make it look like he had made the same mistake again. That was Ken to a tee.”

Mr Ridley leaves Eileen, sons Grahame and Lee, and daughter Denise, as well as seven grandchildren.

Grahame said: “He was the best dad anyone could want. He taught me so much, and for that I shall be forever grateful.”

A large contingent of the current United squad were in attendance, as well as a host of players from the last 20 years.

Jamie Brooks, who came through the club’s centre of excellence before going on to play for the first team, said: “Ken was like a dad to all the scholars and youngsters at Oxford.

“He was a great man.”