Sir John Hall, Freddy Shepherd and Alan Shearer were there to celebrate the 71-year-old’s life, amongst more than 250 mourners who said their emotional farewells.
The former Newcastle United chief executive died at his Darras Hall home, in Ponteland, last Monday following a five-month battle with asbestos-related cancer.
During a touching service yesterday, laughter rang out around Gosforth’s All Saint’s Church as stories were told to remember the popular dad-of-three.
Steve Harper: “I first met Freddie in 1993 when I first joined the club. He was there for a significant time during my early years and our paths would cross around Ponteland and Gosforth.
“He was always very passionate about the football club and he played a huge role in rebuilding the club. He was always to tell me what he thought about how the club was being run. It summed his character up really.
“He was very passionate and very determined. You can’t underestimate the job that he did at Newcastle in the early 1990s.
“The stadium would not be there without the huge driving force of Freddie Fletcher.”
His long-time Liberal Party colleague and friend, former councillor Alan Blair, who sat with him on the council in Greenock, led the tributes to him.
Alan Blair: “We know the contribution that Freddie made in dragging Newcastle back from the edge of administration.
“We know the huge impact that must have had on the morale in the city of Newcastle.
“It was Freddy Shepherd who said that him and Sir John Hall were the money makers, but he was the real driving force behind the Newcastle revolution. He was determined beyond belief.”
Ex-Newcastle owner, Sir John Hall: “He had a lot of energy and he never gave up. Like every walk of business we had our frustrations with each other but I’ve lost a very, very good pal and friend.
“He did so much for the club. We nicknamed him the rottweiler – if he had things to do he made them happen.
"The fans owe him a great debt of gratitude for St James’ Park and the team he built from behind the scenes.
"We’ve said farewell to a great man.
“It’s a sad day but he would have loved today.
“I lived with him for 10 years and he never failed to surprise me.
“The club and the city would not be the same without him.”