Malcolm Devitt.

HUNDREDS of people are expected to gather at Wisbech Town FC on Sunday when it hosts the funeral service for one of its most capped players.

Malcolm Devitt died on February 12, two weeks before his 75th birthday, after falling from a ladder in Cyprus.

He made 385 appearances for the Fenmen after signing from Bradford City in 1963 and finished his career at the club.

His widow Josephine - from her home in Cyprus - has organised the funeral service to take place at Wisbech Town FC’s clubhouse on Sunday starting at 9.15am.

Their son Andrew said: “Myself and Mark (Robson, Malcolm’s grandson) were looking for a venue to hold the service and Wisbech Town said we could use the facilities at the football ground.

“He was popular in Wisbech and was very well liked by the supporters club.

“We have got people coming from Bradford, due to his links with Bradford City, and some friends from Thailand. If there are too many people to fit inside the clubhouse we can hopefully use a PA system.”

The service will be a traditional Latin Catholic mass led by Fr Heyne, of Germany.

Andrew said: “Mum wanted a traditional Latin Catholic mass but there are not too many priests who hold them. Fr Heyne still does it and comes over once a month for mass in Ely - and he is being flown in for the service.”

The service will be followed by interment at Wisbech Cemetery with a wake at the supporters club in the afternoon.

Spencer Larham, Wisbech Town FC’s website editor who lives at the ground, said the club has not had to get permission to hold the service.

“We haven’t had to do anything other than organise the room,” he said.

Malcolm leaves widow Josephine, son Andrew, daughter Teresa and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.