Kenny pays tribute to Gerry

Music legend Marsden

SIR Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to Gerry Marsden as the “devastated” family of the singer held his funeral close to his beloved River Mersey.

With his band Gerry and the Pacemakers he gave the world hits including Ferry Cross The Mersey, I’ll Be There, How Do You Do It? and I Like It.

But Marsden was best known for his version of the song You’ll Never Walk Alone, which became the anthem for Liverpool Football Club.

Sir Kenny, 69, who was Liverpool’s manager at the time of the

Hillsborough tragedy in 1989 when 96 football fans died, was among a group of 30 family and friends permitted at the private church ceremony held in Liverpool yesterday, due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Marsden’s childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years Pauline said: “We, his family, are totally devastated and have been so moved and amazed at the extent of the respect, love and affection received from all over the world. When the time is right and we have come out of this terrible pandemic we hope a fitting memorial can be held for him in the city he loved so much.”

Marsden, who had previously had a triple heart bypass, went into hospital on Boxing Day after a serious blood infection travelled to his heart. He died on January 3, aged 78.

You’ll Never Walk Alone was played by a guitarist during the funeral.

Sir Kenny said: “Nobody can underestimate how important Gerry has been to Liverpool Football Club. You’ll Never Walk Alone has huge meaning to the lives of Liverpool supporters around the world and is synonymous with the club.

“He will be sadly missed by those who knew him and the millions he never got to meet.”

Close family friend Arthur Johnson felt it was fitting that Marsden’s intimate funeral service took place near his Merseyside roots.

After attending the funeral, he said: “He lived close to the banks of the Mersey for all his life and as the words of his song say, ‘this land’s the place I love and here I’ll stay’.”