Simon Grayson: 'Huge honour to be pallbearer at Sir Tom Finney's funeral'

Preston North End manager Simon Grayson has described being asked to be a pallbearer at the funeral of Sir Tom Finney as a "huge honour and a privilege".

Former Lillywhites legend Finney, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 91, is to be laid to rest in a service at Preston Minster later today.

Grayson will carry the coffin, along with goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly and club captain John Welsh, while Joe Garner, Graeme Alexander and Ian Bryson will also act as pallbearers.

"For me it is a huge honour and a privilege to be asked to be a pallbearer and it is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life," Grayson is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"Just to be at the church would have been something to behold, but to be able to play that role is something which truly makes me proud to be the manager of this great club."

Finney was nicknamed the 'Preston Plumber' having completed an apprenticeship in the trade, and was knighted in 1998 for his services to football.