“HE was the heart of Hyde.”
Emily Tunnicliff, 25, laid her simple arrangement of flowers outside Ricky Hatton’s home, called The Heartbreak, to join the hundreds already there.
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For many, the former boxer was the heart not only of Hyde but of Britain.
“I am from Hyde,” Emily added.
“He was proud of where he came from and we were proud of him.
“He has done so much for this city. He never forgot his roots.”
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Her friend, boxer Tyler Dolby, 23, trains at Ricky’s brother Matthew’s gym nearby.
He agreed. He said: “He was an estate lad and you could never take that out of him. He was such an inspiration. He said to all the young lads here and in Britain you could all make it.”
In silence, a steady stream of mourners gathered at Ricky’s home to pay their respects.
Fans wearing Manchester United tops laid their tributes next to wreaths adorned with Ricky’s beloved Man City logo.
Charlie, 45, said: “I watched all his fights. I met him once and he was so nice and friendly. He was not a star, just Ricky.”
A grey rainy morning brought strong winds that blew over many of the tributes.
Kirsty Cartwright, 34, said: “I wanted to be here to show how much he was was loved.”
The boxer’s manager Paul Speak was there to look at the tributes.
He told The Sun: “It is just all too much to take in. All of it. I don’t have the words.”
The gates closed, with Ricky’s black Rolls-Royce on the drive.
But the mourners still came.
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Footie band funeral bid
THE England football supporters’ official brass band hopes to play at Ricky Hatton’s funeral.
The England Band performed at the legend’s fights — and their version of the Great Escape is heard at Three Lions matches.
A trumpeter with the Sheffield musicians — John Hemmingham, 62 — said: “Ricky was an ordinary bloke who loved boxing and football. The chant ‘There’s only one Ricky Hatton’ was born after we started playing it.
“We’ll be at his funeral and if we’re able to play that would be a great honour. It’s up to the family. But we’d love to play for Ricky one last time.”