Memorial service for Txetxu Rojo at the Basilica of Begoña

As one of the neighbourhood of Begoña's favourite sons, there was no more fitting place for Txetxu Rojo's funeral mass than the grand Basilica of Begoña.

In the presence of a huge crowd containing family, friends and members of the football world, tribute was paid to the legendary winger - the second-most capped player in Athletic history.

In the days to come San Mamés will honour the idol in the best way we know how, with a massive standing ovation before the match against CA Osasuna, one of the clubs he coached after retiring as a footballer.

An Athletic flag and the Copa trophies Rojo won in the 1970s against Elche CF and CD Castellón presided over the altar next to a photo of him celebrating a goal.

Joseba Betzuen, a great friend of Txetxu Rojo at Athletic Club and the person who was by his side until the end, delivered the eulogy. Joseba honoured the Urduliz hospital, the Club, Jose Angel Iribar and the men's first team for their moving minute's silence the day after Rojo's death.

He said: "Our Txetxu, you have left us, but you will always be in our hearts. Your greatest greatness was your heart. You taught us to be generous and to be better people. Although I was always learning at your side, I could never learn to curl one in to the top corner like you. Txetxu, you were unique. Our hero of Bilbao. As he always said, playing on the wing and seeing the faces in the San Mamés crowd next to him always spurred him on."

Rojo's four sons and his family occupied the front row, while several figures attended on behalf of Athletic Club, including: president Jon Uriarte and members of the Board of Directors; the great Jose Angel Iribar and the first team coaching staff led by Ernesto Valverde (former assistant coach to Rojo I); club captains Iker Muniain, Oscar de Marcos, Iñigo Lekue, Mikel Balenziaga and Iñaki Williams; Athletic Club Women captain Garazi Murua, Eli Ibarra, Saioa González (AC Women first-team delegate); from the sporting department: Mikel González, Sergio Navarro, Ander Vidal and Xabi Arrieta; Jon Berasategi, Athletic's managing director.

Furthermore, Juan Mari Aburto, the mayor of Bilbao, was also at the service along with councillors Kepa Odriozola and Jone Goirizelaia.

Many Athletic Club icons also came to honour Rojo, such as: Dani Ruiz-Bazán, Goikoetxea, Clemente, José Ángel Rojo 'Rojo II' (Rojo's brother), Julen Guerrero, Manu Sarabia, Andoni Zubizarreta, Manolo Delgado, Amorrortu, Aiarza, Alkorta, Lacabeg, Patxi Salinas, Vladimir Gudelj (RC Celta delegate), Pedro Herrera (former Vigo player and Ander Herrera's father), Juanjo Elguezabal, Genar Andrinua, Agustín Guisasola, Zorriketa, 'Txato Núñez', Lavín, Zaldua, Irureta, Juan Carlos Vidal, Pablo Otaolea, Urzaiz, Imanol Etxeberria and Javi González.

Former Athletic Club doctor, Ángel Gorostidi, was also there, along with former club presidents, Jose María Arrate, Jose Julián Lertxundi, Ana Urquijo, Fernando Lamikiz, Fernando García Macua, Josu Urrutia and Aitor Elizegi.