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Football fans mourn United boss Football fans mourn United boss
(20 minutes later)
Hundreds of Dundee United fans have gathered to mourn chairman Eddie Thompson, whose funeral is taking place in Broughty Ferry.Hundreds of Dundee United fans have gathered to mourn chairman Eddie Thompson, whose funeral is taking place in Broughty Ferry.
Mr Thompson died last week aged 67 after a long battle with prostate cancer.Mr Thompson died last week aged 67 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly are among those attending the service at St Mary's Episcopal Church.Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly are among those attending the service at St Mary's Episcopal Church.
Mr Thompson poured millions of pounds of his own money into the club.Mr Thompson poured millions of pounds of his own money into the club.
The service is for family and friends only, but loudspeakers are being used to broadcast the ceremony to mourners gathered outside the church.The service is for family and friends only, but loudspeakers are being used to broadcast the ceremony to mourners gathered outside the church.
Colourful clothesColourful clothes
Members of the United squad arrived along with their manager, Craig Levein.Members of the United squad arrived along with their manager, Craig Levein.
BBC Scotland's politics editor Brian Taylor, who has been a lifelong fan of Dundee Utd, is also attending the service, along with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith.Mr Thompson took control of Dundee Utd in 2002BBC Scotland's politics editor Brian Taylor, who has been a lifelong fan of Dundee Utd, is also attending the service, along with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith.Mr Thompson took control of Dundee Utd in 2002
At Mr Thompson's request, colourful clothes are being worn at the funeral, with donations going to Ward 32 at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.At Mr Thompson's request, colourful clothes are being worn at the funeral, with donations going to Ward 32 at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Some of Mr Thompson's favourite songs, including The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, were played before the service.Some of Mr Thompson's favourite songs, including The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, were played before the service.
Paying tribute, Dundee United director Derek Robertson said: "This is a very sad day and emotional time for a lot of people at the club and also for the Thompson family.
"We shouldn't forget this is a very private day for them as well - given all they've been through this past week.
"But Eddie would be the first to say that life will go on, I'm sure that somewhere up there he'll be giving people a hard time to make sure that Dundee United thrive and prosper."
The Glasgow-born businessman, who sold his Morning, Noon and Night chain of convenience stores for £30m in 2004, became the majority shareholder in Dundee United six years ago and quickly turned a £2.7m loss into an operating profit.The Glasgow-born businessman, who sold his Morning, Noon and Night chain of convenience stores for £30m in 2004, became the majority shareholder in Dundee United six years ago and quickly turned a £2.7m loss into an operating profit.
He became a hugely-popular figure with the club's fans, and set up a supporters' trust which became the club's second-largest stakeholder.He became a hugely-popular figure with the club's fans, and set up a supporters' trust which became the club's second-largest stakeholder.
Mr Thompson is survived by his wife Cath, children Justine and Stephen, and four grandchildren.Mr Thompson is survived by his wife Cath, children Justine and Stephen, and four grandchildren.
His death came just days after his son-in-law Ken Mitchell, 38, was killed in a motorcycle collision.His death came just days after his son-in-law Ken Mitchell, 38, was killed in a motorcycle collision.