Farewell to ‘One Eyed Baz’: Frank Bruno amongst mourners at funeral of ex-thug Barrington Patterson

The funeral of one-eyed anti-gang mentor Barrington ‘Baz’ Patterson attracted a whole bunch of mourners on Friday, with boxing legend Frank Bruno amongst company seen attending the service at Birmingham Cathedral. 

The much-loved neighborhood determine obtained large rounds of applause as his cortege left Birmingham Metropolis FC’s floor, whereas followers and family members set off flares and waved blue and white balloons.  

The charity employee and former thug, recognized affectionately as One Eyed Baz, died all of the sudden from an enormous coronary heart assault, aged 56, on March 22.

An enormous banner studying ‘RIP Baz’ and bearing an image of the ex-hooligan was unfurled from the roof of the Birmingham Metropolis soccer stadium. 

Town was united in grief as crowds upon crowds – together with a biker gang – turned as much as pay tribute to Baz, who was a member of Birmingham Metropolis’s Zulu Warriors hooligan group in his youth. 

He grew to become a shining instance to youthful individuals after he turned his life round to turn into a well-known actor, mentor and devoted charity employee.

The funeral procession left his beloved staff’s St Andrew’s floor at 9am at this time. 

It then made its approach to St Philip’s in Cathedral Sq., off Colmore Row, for a 10am service.

So many well-wishers needed to pay their respects to the previous MMA fighter and kickboxer that his household issued wristbands to these granted entry to the service. 

Widow Tracey urged anybody and not using a go to not attend the cathedral and stated they need to as a substitute go to St Andrew’s or watch on-line.

The ex-thug, nicknamed One-Eyed Baz as a result of he was blind in his left eye, was a part of Birmingham Metropolis’s hooligan agency the Zulu Warriors within the Nineteen Eighties.

He starred on Danny Dyer’s TV present Deadliest Males, with the EastEnders common calling Barrington probably the most terrifying individuals he had ever encountered.

The hooligan-turned-activist from Handsworth, Birmingham, died after a coronary heart assault at round 6am on March 22.

His companion Tracey stated on the time: ‘Paramedics labored for over an hour to avoid wasting him. Sadly it wasn’t to be. Our hearts are damaged.’

He was blinded when he was a toddler after his sister threw a can at him. Nevertheless, he nonetheless managed to struggle in kickboxing bouts throughout the globe when he grew up.

He additionally made an look in 2006 documentary The Actual Soccer Factories and acted in 2014 crime movie The Guvnors.

Though his youth was marred with violence, Barrington turned his life round.

He grew to become a neighborhood determine who helped individuals struggle knife crime and homelessness.

His final tweet earlier than he died was selling his activism after he visited a faculty in London to warn youngsters to not be a part of crime gangs.

Tributes poured in from the previous hooligans in addition to from the footballing neighborhood following his demise. 

Former Zulu Warrior Tyson Leon, stated: ‘He was a Birmingham legend. 

‘He lived for his household, he lived for the Blues. He did issues no different black bloke had performed.’

In the meantime, Birmingham Metropolis FC stated: ‘The Membership are saddened to be taught of the passing of lifelong Bluenose, Barrington Patterson.

‘All of our ideas are together with his household and pals at this tough time. Could you relaxation in peace, Baz.’