Ref. 21014-06FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to Eric Lane, a popular pork butcher and former Swindon Town chairman, whose funeral took place at Christ Church yesterday.

The Rev Simon Stevenette, also chaplain of Swindon Town Football Club, took the service in the Old Town church and paid personal tribute to the man, who came to him five years ago and asked to be confirmed.

He said: "I admired Eric Lane's honesty. He said he was 'swotting for his finals' and was baptised in 1999, aged 90."

Mr Lane, who was born in Swindon, died at his home in Woodspring Court, Old Town, in December, aged 95.

More than 50 mourners attended the service and sang Abide With Me, also known as the football hymn.

Jon Castle, 67, from Old Town, said he had known Mr Lane since he was a child. He said: "My father, Wilfred, was club chairman for 18 years, so he and Eric were good friends. I remember sitting next to him watching matches."

Mr Lane took over from Mr Castle as club chairman in 1968. His crowing glory came the following year when he greeted all the players from the royal box after their League Cup victory over Arsenal.

Besides being a devout fan of Swindon Town, Mr Lane also ran a butcher's called The Pork Shop, in Wood Street, Old Town.

Retired butcher Tony Millard worked for Mr Lane for 20 years. He wore blue and white to the funeral, the same colours as the striped aprons they used to wear in the shop.

Mr Millard said: "He loved his football. He sat next to Princess Margaret in the League Cup match and said she smoked a lot. He also liked a cigar."

Mr Lane's accolades include winning second and third prize in the Best Black Pudding In Britain competition.

Jackie Blake, from Old Town, will remember Mr Lane for his strong tenor voice. She said: "My father, Reg, was vice-chairman to Eric and our families went on holidays together to Dorset. We sang songs around the piano and he had a wonderful voice."

Mr Lane's wife, Kathleen, died five years ago and, during his final years, Mr Lane became a close friend of Ethel Legg, 85, who also lives at Woodspring Court. She said: "He was a lovely man. My sight has gone and he did jobs for me, like reading my letters. We were companions and I shall miss his conversation."

Patron and former chairman of STFC Mike Spearman, 75, said: "Eric Lane will be sadly missed. He was an asset to the club and had the privilege of being chairman during Swindon Town's glory days."

Mr Lane is survived by two sons and two grandchildren.