The streets of North London were brought to a standstill on Thursday, as thousands of mourners attended the funeral of legendary football hooligan, Dainton “The Bear” Connell.

Considered a folk hero by many Arsenal fans, Mr Campbell, 46, was killed in a car crash in Moscow two weeks ago, where he was working as a bodyguard for the Pet Shop Boys. He had forged a close friendship with the band, which cancelled a gig in Romania to attend the funeral and said they were “devastated” at his death.

Around 3000 mourners, from the “big men” of the terraces to former Arsenal players such as Lee Dixon and Ian Wright, followed the funeral procession from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to the Mary Magdalene Church in North London.

As the sombre crowd passed through the cordoned off roads around Highbury, bemused onlookers watched as some men cried while other held up floral tributes. Friends on the procession described Mr Connell, also known as “Denton”, as a warm and loving man who mellowed in his later years and a fan who was “Arsenal through and through.”

Former Arsenal full back Lee Dixon told The Times that the turnout was “amazing” adding: “you can see for yourself how much he was loved.”

A message on a wreath left by the club’s former striker Ian Wright read: "To The Bear - lived and loved life and the Arsenal. Gooners live forever. Wrighty." Other celebrity friends such as Frank Bruno joined fans from other clubs around the country at the church service.

Mr Connell is named in books written by self-confessed hooligans who clashed with Arsenal fans in the 1980s. He has been described as a “main face” and “the top lad” amongst the ranks of Arsenal hooligans at the time. But these accounts have been contested, with Mr Connell concerned that he had been unfairly named.

Because of the large crowds at the church, family were given ribbons in the club colours, red and white, to gain entry to the service. They were followed by close friends, wearing blue and yellow ribbons, the colours of the team's away jersey. Hundred of others spilled out across the church grounds and surrounding roads to hear the service over loudspeaker.

A prayer was read out by Chris Lowe, one of the Pet Shop Boys. An order of service, made up to look like an old-fashioned football programme featuring Mr Connell posing on the cover was passed around. The service was frequently interrupted by spontaneous applause and deafening roars, mirroring those from a terrace when a goal is scored. Some fans chanted “The Bear’s” name.

A tribute from Mr Campbell’s wife Mandy read: “It wasn’t always easy but I would not change a thing. You to me are everything, always and forever, your Goddess, Mandy.”

The service was also laced with humour, with a close friend telling the congregation that Mr Campbell’s relationship with the Pet Shop Boys meant: “Denton found that he had something in common with the Queen. He could travel the world without a dollar in his pocket."

But there was also palpable anger amongst some mourners that felt the club had not made a proper tribute to a man many considered to be Arsenal's biggest fan. Some pointed out that Arsenal had not allowed the wake to be held at the Emirates Stadium because it would be “bad publicity” and even though the Pet Shop Boys had reportedly offered to pay the £65,000 it would cost to hire the club’s facilities. A club spokesperson denied this, saying it was club policy not to allow any such events at the ground the day before a match.

Friend of “The Bear”, John Kiernan, 47, said: “It shows the marginalisation of working class fans who followed the team even when it was rubbish. Now it’s more interested in tapping into the far east market and merchandising. This outpouring of grief shows that ordinary fans should be respected. Denton should have been respected.”