HUNDREDS of mourners packed inside an Accrington church to bid a final farewell to Adam Donnelly.

Around 500 people filled St Joseph’s RC Church, in Belgarth Road, for the 23-year-old’s funeral this morning.

Many of them donned Burnley FC shirts and scarves in tribute to the Clarets fanatic who also played for Accrington Cricket Club.

One of the keen clubber’s favourite songs, ‘I Remember’ by Deadmau5, was played as his coffin was carried into the crematorium.

Adam was found hanged at his family home in Haywood Road, Accrington, at around 7am on Monday morning.

The lifelong Burnley supporter had spent the previous day watching his team take on rivals Black-burn Rovers at Ewood Park.

A special Mass, which included a number of readings, prayers and hymns, was held inside the church.

The former Mount Carmel RC Science College’s funeral coffin was adorned with flowers in the colours of Burnley’s claret and blue.

His nickname, Harold, by which many of his close friends knew him, was also written in the same colours next to the coffin.

During the Mass, mourners were invited to receive Holy Communion or a blessing in memory of Adam, a former St Mary’s College student.

A number of people were not able to fit inside the large building and listened to the Mass from outside the doors.

Adam’s friends and relatives were joined by police officers and representatives of local sports teams who paid their respects to the ‘popular’ young man.

Speaking at the church, Father Martin Saunders, who led the Mass, said: “The fact that the church is as full as it could ever be and the fact that Father Tom Ryan has come all the way from Manchester to join us is a mark of the respect and affection that has been shown to his family.

“Many of you will have known him by different nick-names.

“To some he was Adam but to other he was Harold, H, Big Man, Panch.

“He had a keen interest in a variety of sports and dancing. He filled our hearts and our souls.”

Following the Mass the majority of the mourners made the short trip to Accrington Crematorium.

Earlier this week, people who knew Adam said they were devastated by his death.

Katrina Ryan, headteacher at Mount Carmel, said: “It is an absolute shock and tragic news.

“Our whole school community will be totally stunned. Adam was a very popular boy and a likeable lad. He was bubbly and full of fun.

"My memory is one with a huge amount of affection and respect.”

Dave Ormerod, first team captain at Accrington Cricket Club, said Adam was a leg spin bowler who played in the third team.

He said Adam’s dad Michael is a former player at the club and his brother Matthew also plays in the second team, he said.

“Adam was such a popular character at the club,” he said.

“He was the life and soul of the party."