Football shirts were worn by the many mourners in tribute to Marshall Football shirts emblazoned with the words 'Marsh 4 Ever' were worn by many of the hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Eastern Bypass crash victim Marshall Haynes, 13, of Headington.

More than 500 people, all dressed in football shirts or other colourful tops, made their way to St James Church, Cowley, to say goodbye to the football-mad teenager.

Marshall's parents had asked mourners to wear football shirts in memory of their son's love for the game.

The youngster, who went to Peers Technology College, had played football for Oxford Blackbirds since he was seven and was considered an excellent player.

Mourners filled the inside of the church and those who were unable to get inside the building stood in the churchyard or on Beauchamp Lane.

Mandolin music played as the hearse containing Marshall's coffin approached. Marshall was a Manchester United and England fan, and the coffin was in the colours of the England flag. The England crest was also on the top of it and the Manchester United crest adorned one side of it.

On top of the coffin lay a yellow wreath which spelt out 'Man Utd'.

The coffin was carried into the church by those close to the Haynes family to the sound of Akon's So Lonely. The pallbearers were all wearing Manchester United shirts with the words 'Marsh 4 Ever' on the back.

Other Manchester United football shirts had the words 'Marsh '05 RIP' on the back.

Paramedics who attended the scene of the accident also paid their respects.