The funeral of one-eyed anti-gang mentor Barrington ‘Baz’ Patterson attracted hundreds of mourners on Friday, with boxing legend Frank Bruno among guests seen attending the service at Birmingham Cathedral.
The much-loved community figure received huge rounds of applause as his cortege left Birmingham City FC’s ground, while fans and loved ones set off flares and waved blue and white balloons.
The charity worker and former thug, known affectionately as One Eyed Baz, died suddenly from a massive heart attack, aged 56, on March 22.
A huge banner reading ‘RIP Baz’ and bearing a picture of the ex-hooligan was unfurled from the roof of the Birmingham City football stadium.
The city was united in grief as crowds upon crowds – including a biker gang – turned up to pay tribute to Baz, who was a member of Birmingham City’s Zulu Warriors hooligan group in his youth.
He became a shining example to younger people after he turned his life around to become a famous actor, mentor and dedicated charity worker.
