THOUSANDS of fans joined the family and former teammates of Exeter City legend Adam Stansfield to say an emotional final farewell.

Hundreds of city supporters braved the rain to line the route from St James's Park as the hearse passed through the city centre to Exeter Cathedral.

The largest gathering was outside the Guildhall, where a number of onlookers stepped out to place flowers on the roof of the hearse.

Others wept openly. Some launched balloons with the message "RIP Stanno — No 9."

Hundreds more — many wearing the red and white of Exeter City — found a spot inside the cathedral, and waited in a respectful silence broken only by a crescendo of applause coming from outside to signal the arrival of the hearse.

As the white coffin was brought in to the sound of Leona Lewis' song Run, those who knew Stanno well and those who just idolised him from afar struggled to hold back their emotions as tears flowed.

The popularity and adulation in which the number nine was held has been evident since he died two weeks ago from bowel cancer.

A shrine still adorns the Red Square at St James's Park, and his passing has led to an unprecedented outpouring of public grief echoed throughout the footballing world.

Few players at any club have had quite such a bond with the supporters.

"Stanno" was late to enter the professional game and was discovered as a 23-year-old playing Sunday football.

After spells with Yeovil Town and Hereford United, he came home to play for his beloved Exeter City, the team he supported as a boy.

"He lived the dream," Canon Andrew Godsall told the 700-strong crowd in the cathedral — a message relayed over a public address system to the hundreds gathered on Cathedral Green.

"In a sense Adam was living the dream shared by half the under-11s out there, who want to be a professional footballer when they grow up," he said.

"But his dream was really not one about being a football star. That was his job; he did it with dedication, passion, devotion and skill.

"But his first love was the love he shared with Marie, and his children Jay, Taylor and Cody. He knew what was real. It was the everyday things such as taking the dogs for a walk, going to the beach and doing things around the house.

"That kept him living his real dream.

"He was living and loving the dream of a family man living to see his children grow up."

Adam's family were joined at the service by the entire Exeter City squad and several staff, including manager Paul Tisdale and director of football Steve Perryman.

Also present was former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson, who gave Stanno his big break in the game, along with former Glovers teammates Darren Way, Nathan Jones and Kirk Jackson.

Former Grecians teammates, including Matt Gill, Dean Moxey and George Friend, were also among the mourners, as was Torquay United manager Paul Buckle, and a strong showing from Elmore and Cullompton Rangers, where Adam had played as a youngster.

Paul Tisdale gave a reading at the service and described Adam as a key part of the club's success over the last four years.

He said: "Exeter City supporters love Adam because he gave so much to the football club.

"He welcomed every person he met with warmth and he was without doubt an Exeter City fans' favourite.

"The team loved him as he was selfless to the need of the team. He was always courageous and was the engine of our team. He was a true team player.

"He did his best every single day and was a dream to manage. But most of all we loved Adam because he loved us."

Elmore Football Club secretary Neville Crocker also gave a reading and the hymns Lord Of All Hopefulness and Jerusalem were sung, prayers were said and a bible reading was made.

As his coffin was carried out of the church, the Foo Fighters song My Hero was played over the speaker system.

As the heads turned and the tears flowed, the chorus rang out: "There goes my hero, watch him as he goes."

For thousands of fans who will never forget him, that is exactly what he was.

Earlier, as the cortege approached the cathedral, a flock of more than 50 pigeons took flight, banked to the right and then dipped their wings as if to salute Adam.

Afternoon film-goers stopped on the steps of the Odeon to watch the funeral procession.

Shop owners joined customers on the pavements to pay their respects in the downpour.

Street cleaners came to a halt, parking up their machines, while mothers with youngsters in pushchairs stood still.

People lined the route and clapped in unison.

"This is so sad, the city centre seems to have come to a standstill," said one young mum.

As the hearse passed the junction with York Road, supporter Phil Hutchings, 46, wearing a blue City away shirt, raised his arms above his head in a final wave. "I would not have missed this occasion to say goodbye to Stanno," he said.

Phil Viger and partner Jackie Williams, from Stoke Hill, who, between them, have supported the Grecians for 50 years, said: "This is a final farewell."

Cathedral Green was a sea of umbrellas, but many elected to get drenched rather than miss the service which was relayed through seven speakers.

Father-of-two Simon Rowden, 39, from Newton Poppleford, who was wearing a City shirt, said: "I have rushed from Okehampton to be here."

Amanda Ryder was with her mother and 11-year-old daughter Laura. "We first heard about Adam's death while in America," she said. "It was such a shock."

Teenage fans Callum McKenzie and his mate Jacob Ralph, both 15 and from Dawlish, said they wanted to join the mourners as a mark of respect.

Alan Hawkins and his son Adam, 11, also stood in the rain. "We came from Tiverton to say farewell to a great player," he said.

Pals from St Luke's School, Emma Tapp and Kayleigh Carr, both aged 15, were with Kayleigh's brother Bradley, 10, and said they wanted to return the support which Adam had shown to his fans.

Teacher David Phillips, 57, who has just left Tiverton High School, was joined by Will Davies, 32, who travelled from Hereford — where Adam was a player — to be at the service.

"We wanted to pay our respects," said Will, also a teacher.

Nigel Courteney said: "I'm here today because it's the least I can do. Adam contributed such a lot to City."

Tina Corbett and partner Steve Ball caught a train from their home in Dawlish to attend.

"We took the day off work to be here — its the least we can do," said Mr Ball.

Adam's family said they wanted to offer their sincere thanks to everyone who attended the service and for all the loving thoughts, cards and messages of sympathy.

After the service, donations were collected in memory of Adam that will be used to start a football foundation in his name.

Adam was buried at a private family service in Tiverton.