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Funeral for shooting victim Rhys Funeral for shooting victim Rhys
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of mourners gathered at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral for the funeral service of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones.Thousands of mourners gathered at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral for the funeral service of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones.
Rhys's uncle Neil Jones spoke of his "football crazy" nephew and read a short poem about the youngster written by his father Stephen.Rhys's uncle Neil Jones spoke of his "football crazy" nephew and read a short poem about the youngster written by his father Stephen.
Friends of the 11-year-old lit candles at the service as a mark of respect.Friends of the 11-year-old lit candles at the service as a mark of respect.
As the coffin left ahead of a private burial, the congregation broke into spontaneous applause.As the coffin left ahead of a private burial, the congregation broke into spontaneous applause.
The cortege arrived at 1400 BST and family members carried the blue coffin emblazoned with the Everton club badge into the cathedral.The cortege arrived at 1400 BST and family members carried the blue coffin emblazoned with the Everton club badge into the cathedral.
Football is nothing without rivalry, particularly in a city such as ours, but life is nothing without friends Neil Jones,Rhys's uncleFootball is nothing without rivalry, particularly in a city such as ours, but life is nothing without friends Neil Jones,Rhys's uncle
Rhys's own football team arrived wearing their kit and black armbands, with his number 11 shirt missing.Rhys's own football team arrived wearing their kit and black armbands, with his number 11 shirt missing.
The service opened with the congregation, many wearing football shirts, singing All Things Bright and Beautiful. He had been on his way back from football training on 22 August when he was shot and killed on a pub car park in Croxteth Park.
No-one has been charged with his murder.
The funeral service opened with the congregation, many wearing football shirts, singing All Things Bright and Beautiful.
Neil Jones said: "What can I tell you about my little nephew? Well, as I'm sure you all know he was football crazy, and absolutely nuts about Everton.Neil Jones said: "What can I tell you about my little nephew? Well, as I'm sure you all know he was football crazy, and absolutely nuts about Everton.
"Football is nothing without rivalry, particularly in a city such as ours, but life is nothing without friends."Football is nothing without rivalry, particularly in a city such as ours, but life is nothing without friends.
"One thing he and I share today is that some of Rhys's closest friends are here wearing shirts of a different colour to his, but he always saw beyond that."One thing he and I share today is that some of Rhys's closest friends are here wearing shirts of a different colour to his, but he always saw beyond that.
"They were friends first and football rivals second.""They were friends first and football rivals second."
Rhys was fatally shot as he walked home from playing football in Croxteth Park on 22 August. 'Solidarity'
His killer has not yet been found. In line with his parents' wishes the hushed crowds inside and outside the church wore a mixture of football shirts and bright clothes.
Homemade placards Earlier, Everton players were greeted by applause as they entered the cathedral.
The Merseyside cathedral holds 2,300 people and erected speakers outside to accommodate the expected crowds. The funeral procession had travelled from the Jones family home and went past the club's Goodison Park ground.
A team of local builders downed tools to pay their respects and hung a makeshift banner from the site's scaffolding bearing the message 'Rest in Peace Rhys'. Liverpool FC were also represented by former players Brian Hall, Phil Neal and David Fairclough, joining pupils and staff from Rhys's former primary school, Broad Square.
Rival football fans were united in grief over Rhys's deathIn line with his parents' wishes the hushed crowds inside and outside the church wore a mixture of football shirts and bright clothes. Rival football fans were united in grief over Rhys's deathThe Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, said Rhys's family wanted as many people as possible to come to the cathedral service.
The Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, said Rhys's family wanted as many people as possible to come to the cathedral service.
"One of the lovely things about the city of Liverpool is the way people come together, there's such solidarity," he said."One of the lovely things about the city of Liverpool is the way people come together, there's such solidarity," he said.
"That's why they've taken this unusual step, really, of asking for the service to be in the cathedral so it can be open to as many members of the public as want to come. "That's why they've taken this unusual step, really, of asking for the service to be in the cathedral so it can be open to as many members of the public as want to come."
"The presence of other people in the city is going to be a great strength to them on such a sad day."
He added: "I think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness."
Rhys Jones was a keen supporter of Everton football club and its players were greeted by applause as they entered the church.
The funeral procession had travelled from the Jones family home in Croxteth and went past Goodison Park, home to Everton.
Personal message
Liverpool FC were represented by former players Brian Hall, Phil Neal and David Fairclough.
Pupils and staff from Rhys's former primary school, Broad Square, also attended the funeral.
Police chiefs at a firearms conference in Birmingham held a minute's silence for Rhys in the hours leading up to the service.Police chiefs at a firearms conference in Birmingham held a minute's silence for Rhys in the hours leading up to the service.
So far Merseyside Police have arrested 17 people in the murder investigation.So far Merseyside Police have arrested 17 people in the murder investigation.
Twelve people have been bailed and a further five released without charge. They are now being treated as witnesses.Twelve people have been bailed and a further five released without charge. They are now being treated as witnesses.