FIGURES from around world football will pay their respects at Cyrille Regis’s funeral today – and his death has been felt particularly keenly by one player in Oxford United’s squad.

Among the former striker’s roles after retirement was as an agent, with Josh Ruffels among his clients.

The U’s midfielder was represented by him while in the youth set-up at Coventry City, where Regis spent seven years as a player.

It meant the news about the 59-year-old’s death from a heart attack earlier this month came as shock.

Ruffels said: “I knew him quite well – I couldn’t believe it when I saw the news.

“He was with me for a couple of years and sorted out my pro contract there.

“Things didn’t work out in the end, but we didn’t split in a horrible way.

“I didn’t know a lot about him when he first approached me, but obviously my dad knew loads about him.

“I did my research and what he did for the game was incredible.

“He was a really humble man and would help you.

“I haven’t got a bad word to say about him, he was a great man.”