Cyrille Regis honoured: The Hawthorns rises in tribute to football icon - PICTURES and VIDEO
'This club was in his heart, and every single one of you was in his heart'
The Hawthorns this afternoon rose for its hero as West Brom supporters honoured Cyrille Regis.
A sea of scarves were held aloft as the icon's name was sung loud and proud to mark the passing of one of Albion's most-loved sons ahead of the Premier League match against Southampton.
Fans of both clubs were encouraged to bring scarves and were asked to "Raise them for Cyrille" during a special video tribute a few minutes before kick-off.
WATCH the emotion as scarves were held aloft at The Hawthorns in tribute to Cyrille Regis
Broadcaster and Albion fan Adrian Chiles hosted an hour-long pre-match show with a host of famous faces from across the football community on hand to pay their respects.
A minute’s applause also took place prior to kick-off inside a packed Hawthorns.
In addition, video clips dedicated to Regis were screened and the pre-match playlist was dedicated to his memory.
Cyrille's nephew, and former Albion striker, Jason Roberts, said: "This club meant everything to my uncle, and we shouldn't mourn him, we should celebrate him.
"This club was in his heart, and every single one of you was in his heart... You are our family as well. Thank you."
Among those to also pay their respects was fellow well-known fan, comic Frank Skinner.
He told the crowd: "They say he picked up the ball on the half-way line, in my memory he picked up the ball on Smethwick High Street."
Albion and footballing royalty were introduced to the pitch prior to kick-off.
Ron Atkinson, Viv Anderson, Martyn Bennett, Derek Statham, Rod Wallace, Ally Brown, Len Cantello, Brendon Batson, Ally Robertson, John Wile, Bob Hazell, Andy Cole, Dion Dublin, John Trewick, Tony Godden, Ian Wright, Tony Brown and Bryan Robson were among those to walk out in front of The Hawthorns faithful.
Former England and Aston Villa striker, Dion Dublin, said: "For all the black people of my age who played professionally, semi-professionally, people who never made it, Cyrille Regis was the one we looked up to, the one we tried to copy. He had the broadest shoulders in the world and he had to."
Cyrille's son Robert Regis said: "We can't thank you guys enough. My dad is a humble man.
"He'll be looking on us down right now with his long johns on, his hat and his scarf.
"He'd be saying 'all this for me?' With a cheeky wink and a nod. Truly humbling. Thank you."
