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Funeral for shooting victim Rhys Funeral for shooting victim Rhys
(about 1 hour later)
The coffin of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones, emblazoned with the badge of his beloved Everton, was carried into church by his father and brother. The packed funeral of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones broke into spontaneous applause as his coffin left the church following a moving service.
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 schoolboy friends lit candles inside Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral as a mark of respect.
Accompanied by Rhys's mother Melanie the family left for a private burial.
Hundreds of people wearing football shirts and bright clothing had arrived at Liverpool's Anglican cathedral for the funeral of the 11-year-old.Hundreds of people wearing football shirts and bright clothing had arrived at Liverpool's Anglican cathedral for the funeral of the 11-year-old.
The cortege arrived at 1400 BST and family members carried the blue coffin emblazoned with the Everton club badge into the cathedral.
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.
Rhys was fatally shot in Croxteth Park on 22 August. Following a rendition of All Things Bright and Beautiful Rhys's uncle 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.
He will be buried later at a private ceremony for family and 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.
"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.
His killer has not yet been found.His killer has not yet been found.
Homemade placardsHomemade placards
The Merseyside cathedral holds 2,300 people and has erected speakers outside to accommodate the expected crowds. The Merseyside cathedral holds 2,300 people and erected speakers outside to accommodate the expected crowds.
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'.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'.
In line with his parents' wishes the hushed crowds inside and outside the church wore a mixture of football shirts and bright clothes.In line with his parents' wishes the hushed crowds inside and outside the church wore a mixture of football shirts and bright clothes.
Police closed off the road, which was lined with hundreds of mourners, leading up to the cathedral as the funeral procession neared.
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.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.
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 Right Reverend James Jones,Bishop of LiverpoolI 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 Right Reverend James Jones,Bishop of Liverpool
"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.""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."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.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.The funeral procession had travelled from the Jones family home in Croxteth and went past Goodison Park, home to Everton.
Personal messagePersonal message
Liverpool FC were represented by former players Brian Hall, Phil Neal and David Fairclough.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.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.
You can watch Rhys Jones' funeral on the BBC News website from 1400 BST .You can watch Rhys Jones' funeral on the BBC News website from 1400 BST .