That brings an end to our coverage of the funeral of former Rochdale footballer Joe Thompson, who was remembered by mourners for "his incredible kindness".

Hundreds of people attended the service on a sunny day at St Marks Church in Worsley, including other former players and fans from all the clubs he played for.

His wife Chantelle told the congregation her husband, who died last month aged 36, was her "soulmate, my rock, and my everything".

Former Manchester City defender Keith Curle, who managed Joe at Carlisle United, said he was a "wonderful human being".

White doves were released at the end of the service as Gabrielle's Dreams was played.

Mourners stood up and clapped at the end of the service in the church.

Former Leicester City defender Danny Simpson, who won the Premier League with the club, hugged a fellow mourner as he came out of the church.

Thompson's coffin has been carried away from St Marks Church along the tree-lined path.

Mourners watched as the pallbearers walked past and the funeral service starts to draw to a close.

Former Manchester United academy product Danny Webber said of Joe Thompson: "I was better for knowing him."

The pair were both part of the Red Devils' youth teams in the late 1990s alongside players including Danny Drinkwater and Tom Cleverley.

"He was unbelievable with what he went through," Webber said.

He described Joe as "so positive" with his cancer.

Highlights of Thompson playing football are played on screens outside the church as well as videos of him with his wife and daughters.

In the footage, the footballer said he "cried" when he was released by Manchester United.

But "there is more to life than football", he added.

Chantelle Thompson said her late husband's faith in God meant he had "no fear of dying".

"I love you Joe", she said.

His 12-year-old daughter Thailula said: "What a life we have had together.

"You have taught me so much. You have been such a great role model for me."

Reuben Thompson read a message from his late brother Joe, who said he was "a lover of life, not a victim".

Joe said he and his wife Chantelle had "built a home full of love".

Their children are their "masterpieces" and their "legacy", he said.

Joe told his wife, in words read by his brother, that "we did it all against the odds" and added that "I never gave up on those I loved".

With tears in her eyes, Joe Thompson's widow Chantelle says her late husband was her "soulmate... my rock... and my everything".

She adds: "I don't know who I am without him."

Joe Thompson's brother, Reuben, thanks everyone inside the packed-out church, as well as those gathered outside.

"What a day," he said. "I knew it would be an amazing turnout."

Pastor Sam Chanda told the congregation that Joe Thompson was surrounded by his family on the day he died.

In his address, he said the much-loved footballer "will be missed by so many people, but mainly by Chantelle and his two beautiful daughters".

"Joe was known for his incredible kindness... not only by his loved ones but [also by] strangers."

Pastor Sam Chanda said Joe Thompson had met his wife Chantelle in a Manchester nightclub.

They happy couple got married in Ibiza.

They "travelled the world, even in between hospital appointments" he told the packed congregation both inside and outside St Marks Church in Worsley, Greater Manchester.

"It was their secret, as it wasn't strictly allowed!

In his eulogy, Pastor Sam Chanda said Joe Thompson and his family had attended his Lighthouse Church in Salford.

The pastor said: "He was more than just an amazing footballer.

"He was a beacon of hope who always put those around him first."

People gathered outside the packed-out church are watching the service on screens.

Reverend Adam Whittle tells the congregation that Joe Thompson had "a life well-lived".

He added: "Joe was loved by so many."

Jess Glynne's Take Me Home was played as Joe Thompson's coffin entered the church, accompanied by his family.

Pallbearers take Joe Thompson's flower-adorned coffin into St Marks Church in Worsley.

Hundreds of mourners are there to pay their respects.

Fans from Rochdale AFC as well as the Joe Thompson's other clubs, including Tranmere Rovers and Manchester United, have arrived for the funeral.

Rochdale co-chairman Simon Gauge, 54, is at the service.

He said: "He had a real zest for life.

"Everyone at Rochdale is incredibly sad - he was a wonderful man."

We're now about five minutes away from the start of Joe Thompson's funeral in Worsley, Greater Manchester.

We are providing coverage after his family invited anyone who wanted to pay their respects to attend the service. Hundreds of people have arrived to do just that.

They requested though, that "with so many people expected at Joe’s funeral, we kindly ask that instead of flowers - which, without a burial, will sadly go to waste - you consider donating" to one of the good causes he supported.

His widow Chantelle posted on Instagram: "I intend on carrying on Joe's legacy and creating the charity he wanted to do."

The family stressed that the wake is by invitation only, for close friends and family.

Figures from across the footballing world were always quick to show their support and solidarity with Joe Thompson.

The Rochdale midfielder was twice diagnosed with cancer during his playing career, and twice returned to action following treatment.

Following his second diagnosis eight years ago, Northampton Town's players presented him with a signed shirt when they came to play Thompson's Rochdale at their Spotland ground.

Thompson recovered from his treatment to resume his career with Dale.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Joe Thompson made 227 league appearances during his career, with the midfielder scoring 23 goals.

The majority of his appearances (182) came during his three stints with Rochdale, for whom he first played from May 2006 to August 2012.

His two-year stint with Tranmere included a brief loan spell back at Dale in the spring of 2013.

The midfielder also turned out for Bury, Wrexham, Southport and Carlisle before returning to his beloved Rochdale's Spotland stadium in August 2016.

Thompson's final appearance came in August 2018.