A FOOTBALL manager who started his career playing in the Teesside league will carry Sir Tom Finney’s coffin at his funeral.

Preston North End boss Simon Grayson, who played for his home town club Bedale FC before being signed by Leeds United, will be among six pall bearers at the legendary player’s civic funeral tomorrow. (Thursday, February 27).

Crowds of mourners are expected to line the streets of Preston as the funeral cortege, escorted by police horses, arrives at Preston Minster Church.

The service will be followed by a private interment service for Sir Tom’s family.

Sir Tom, played at the Lancashire club for 14 years, which Mr Grayson has managed since last February.

Former Bedale High School pupil Mr Grayson said: “For me it is a huge honour and a privilege to be asked to be a pall bearer and it is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

“Just to be at the church would have been something to behold, but to be able to play that role is something which truly makes me proud to be the manager of this great club.

"It was a great honour to have met him.

"Sir Tom was fantastic ambassador for this club. You can see from the comments on a worldwide scale."