David Topliss Funeral
CROWDS of rugby league fans burst into rounds of applause as a final farewell was said to Wakefield Trinity legend David Topliss.
Hundreds of fans listened to the funeral service through loud speakers put up outside Wakefield Cathedral and hundreds more mourners packed inside to pay their respects to the former Great Britain, Wakefield Trinity and Hull player on Wednesday.
Mr Topliss - or Toppo to his legions of fans - died suddenly last week after collapsing at a five-a-side football match in Crofton.
His wife Daryl, 60, and daughters Sarah, 34, and Nicola, 33, led the mourners, which included rugby league royalty from across the country, including Trinity favourites Billy Conway and Nigel Bell.
Former Trinity teammates Trevor Skerrett, Mick Morgan, Neil Fox and Ian Brooke were pallbearers along with former Great Britain, Hull and Leeds player Gary Schofield and Mr Topliss's friend and business associate David Howes.
Both Mr Morgan and Mr Howes also paid personal tribute to Mr Topliss in the service, which was conducted by Vice Dean Canon Michael Rawson, vicar at the family's church, All Saints in Normanton, Rev Don Gilkes, and Rev Ron Ayres, who married Mr Topliss and his wife Daryl 19 years ago.
The service honoured Mr Topliss's career at Trinity and at Hull, with the songs Abide With Me and Old Faithful both sung by the congregation and fans outside.
As the coffin was led out of the cathedral and taken to a private interment, one fan led the waiting fans in their own tribute, shouting: "Three cheers for Toppo
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 10 February 2012
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