You'll never walk alone

A congregation of 400, including former England player Peter Beardsley, Wednesday boss Peter Shreeves and his squad of players, turned the service into an extraordinary celebration of Thomas's 20 years of life.

Among the moving moments was a chorus of the popular football anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, enthusiastically sung by everyone present, in Thomas's memory.

Slides on a screen showed events from Thomas's life, including a moment when, wearing Wednesday's familiar blue and white kit, he rose high above an opponent to head the ball.

His father Gordon, a former York City star, asked the congregation to stand for a minute to applaud and clap Thomas, and 'say thank you for knowing him'.

The response was a standing ovation worthy of Wembley, with the cheers and chants almost raising the roof of York Baptist Church in Priory Street.

Yesterday's service came five days after the former Tadcaster Grammar School pupil suddenly collapsed and died while enjoying an evening out with friends in York city centre. The cause of his death is still not known.

Thomas's coffin was brought in to church to the sound of Westlife's Flying Without Wings, and was later taken out to Toploader's Dancing In The Moonlight.

Among the pallbearers was Thomas's brother, James, who himself was seriously injured in an accident in America several years ago, but has since made a good recovery.

Floral tributes on the coffin included one in the shape of a football, with a pattern in the Owls' blue and white.

During the service, emotional and also humorous tributes were paid to a talented footballer and a caring and fun-loving young man.

Gordon, of Copmanthorpe, said of his son: ''He loved everybody and everybody loved him.'' His brother James said he had a ''heart of gold''.

Thomas's 'mentor' at Sheffield Wednesday, Clive Baker, said: ''He had ability and showed a terrific attitude to the game.''

He said Thomas was a fun person who loved fancy dress parties. ''Football never changed him. He was still the same kid as when he was 14. He had no airs and graces.

''I cannot remember anybody saying a bad word about him. And I can never remember him saying a bad word about anybody else. He was always a pleasure to be with.

''He was a credit to his mother and father, and a credit to himself.''

Thomas's girlfriend, Stacy Bell, battled bravely against tears as she read a passage and then said: ''Thomas, I love you.''

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Updated: 09:50 Saturday, August 25, 2001