Marc Of Respect

Captain Joe Cole and Managing Director Paul Aldridge made a sad journey to Lyon in France on Thursday, to represent West Ham United at the funeral of our former midfielder, Marc-Vivien Foe.

The pair took along a selection of memorabilia that had been placed at the Upton Park gates by Hammers fans in the past week, plus many messages of condolence sent to the club, and presented the tributes to Marc's brother, Emmanual.

Joe actually made his first start for the Hammers on the same day as Marc made his debut, against Wimbledon on January 30, 1999, and spoke recently about his huge respect for the Cameroon international, who became a firm favourite among the players, staff and fans during his 18-month spell at Upton Park.

Many other friends and colleagues from the world of football, including FIFA president Sepp Blatter, were at the service to honour Marc, who so tragically died at the age of 28 last week after collapsing on the pitch during Cameroon's Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in France.