FOOTBALL celebrities will converge on Winchester Cathedral tomorrow to say farewell to Saints legend Alan Ball.

The funeral of the England World Cup winner, who died last week aged 61, will attracted worldwide attention.

The Cathedral holds around 2,000 people and it is expected to be jammed to capacity with mourners eager to pay their last respects.

In fact, the service, which starts at 1pm, will be broadcast over a tannoy system to those outside who cannot gain entry due to lack of space.

Camera crews from the BBC, ITV and Sky will all be in attendance, along with massed ranks of media.

Journalists wishing to attend the service have had to email the Football Association for accreditation.

Local entertainer Mike Osman, a close friend of Ball's, has been helping the family to organise tomorrow's funeral.

"The response to Alan's death has been absolutely astonishing," said Osman.

"I think we've all been taken aback by the depth of affection that has poured out towards Bally.

"The funeral will be a huge event and I urge people who want to come and pay their last respects to come early.

"A nation will want to pay their respects to a national hero.

"It's also fitting that the funeral is in Winchester Cathedral. Bally loved England, he loved all the pomp and ceremony."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.