FUNERAL details have now been announced for the former Blackburn Rovers and England legend Fred Pickering.

The 78-year-old died at Haydock Care Home in Ramsgreave on Saturday, February 9.

He started his career at his hometown club in 1959 as a defender before being converted into a striker.

Later he played for Everton, whose manager Harry Catterick broke the domestic transfer record to secure his services, before spells at Birmingham and Blackpool, earning three international caps in total.

Fred, who only missed out on selection for the England 1966 World Cup squad through injury, returned to Ewood for one final season. He scored 61 times over 134 Rovers' appearances.

Nicknamed 'Boomer' because of his lethal right foot, his abilities earned him favourable comparisons with Alan Shearer by former team-mate Bryan Douglas.

The husband of June, father to Andrew, Debbie and Danielle, grandfather and great-grandfather will be cremated after a service at Blackburn Cathedral on Friday, from 1.30pm.

The Alty Funeral Service is taking only family flowers but donations can be made in his memory to the Stroke Association.