Football stars mourn Dean
Premier League stars joined hundreds of mourners at the funeral of former Wolves and Tottenham defender Dean Richards yesterday.
Richards, who was forced to retire from the game in 2005 following illness, died last weekend aged 36. Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane and on-loan Blackpool forward James Beattie joined friends, family and former colleagues for the funeral at Bradford Cathedral, Richards' home city in West Yorkshire.
The former central defender is fondly remembered at Wolves, where he moved after impressing with Bradford. He later played for Southampton and Tottenham, who paid £8.1m for his services.
He died after a long-term illness, initially diagnosed as an inner ear infection.
- Alistair Keely
Irish Independent
