There's never many pluses in going to a funeral.

Thursday was actually a memorial, different to the normal to have the memorial the day before the actual funeral - but there again the fella we were remembering wasn't normal and wasn't just different.

Alan Ball was exceptional.

Usually people have quite a bit of time to prepare for a memorial service. Not on this occasion - it was only days after the legend passed on.

But what a turnout.

Of all the World Cup team, apart from Alan himself, it's probably the Charlton brothers who I identify with the most.

Bobby and I formed a BBC TV panel along with Jimmy Hill long before the days of Messrs Lineker, Hansen etc.

We both, in fact, covered four World Cups starting in 1974.

Of course Bobby was from the north-east and he and Jack, with their uncle Jackie Milburn of Newcastle fame, were products of a small pit village called Ashington.

Jack and I met when I was invited by the FA as a senior FA coach to attend for a week at the new Crystal Palace sports centre which was formally opened during our stay by the Duke of Edinburgh.

There were three courses in attendance.

One was the British tennis team.

Another was the Olympic weightlifters with, would you believe, a man whose christian name was Precious and a surname of McKenzie. He wasn't very big, but you wouldn't mess with him.

And then there were the footballers.

I was put in a room with Jack, who was then a centre half for Leeds United.

As we met he put out his right hand to shake mine and at the same time with his left hand produced some samples of suit lengths which he was offering to sell me at £4 each.

From that early meeting we formed a long friendship with both our families.

More often than not, our get togethers have been happy occasions such as football matches, cup finals in particular, internationals and family holidays.

Sadly the last two times Jack and Pat, his wife of nearly 50 years, have stayed with Anne and I were when they came down for the funerals of Lesley Ball and now, sadly, Alan.

To see the remaining members of the legendary 1966 team together was one thing, but to understand that they were a family grieving for the loss of their youngest member brought it all home.

Read more of Lawrie McMenemy's exclusive column in today's Daily Echo.