Alan Minter's funeral: 'It’s a real privilege and honour for me to be able to pay my respects'

Crawley Mayor Francis Guidera paid his respects to Alan Minter along with hundreds more in Crawley High Street.
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The boxing legend was given an emotional send off by friends, family, personalities from the boxing world and the residents of Crawley on Friday.

Minter was taken down Crawley High Street in a horse drawn carriage and stopped outside the White Hart pub where he recieved a five minute round of applause.

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And in attendance was Mayor cllr Guidera. He said: "The amount of people who have come out for him is a testament to how well loved he was. To see his sons there, it was so emotional. This is a person and a family who have lost someone too soon.

Alan Minter's son Rss and family in Crawley High Street. Picture by Eddie MitchellAlan Minter's son Rss and family in Crawley High Street. Picture by Eddie Mitchell
Alan Minter's son Rss and family in Crawley High Street. Picture by Eddie Mitchell

"I grew up in Crawley, he’s certainly the earliest person I knew of. I remember seeing photos of him in the Crawley Observer and out training, running in front of cars.

"He is definitely Crawley’s sporting hero and he’s a great loss, gone too soon. Real tragedy.

"It’s a real privilege and honour for me to come to this and pay my respects and support the family. As Crawley’s first citizen it’s right for me to be out and show the respect."

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Cllr Guidera spoke to son Ross before the carriage arrived. He said: "He [Ross] thanked me for coming. This is a tough time for the family, of course I am going to come out and support them."

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