Hundreds turn out to pay their respects for Wirral dad and goalkeeper Liam Clark

Liam tragically passed away after being involved in a collision near Birmingham on Tuesday, September 10.

He leaves behind his girlfriend Olivia and three-month-old son Rauiri.

On Monday, October 7, Liam's family and friends wore bright colours, Liverpool shirts and North Wirral Saints strips to remember the 21-year-old dad at his celebration of life at Landican.

Liam's goalkeeper gloves and North Wirral Saints number 1 shirt were placed on top of his coffin along with an Allison Becker Liverpool scarf and a match-day programme which included a tribute to Liam.

The team also placed a captain's armband as he always tried to be made captain for his North Wirral Saints team.

Touching tributes were paid to Liam, including a round of applause, in which mourners were encouraged to #ClapforClarky at the end of Joe Brown's version 'I'll See You In My Dreams'.

Liam and his son Rauiri

The applause was a nod to the ClapforClarky campaign in which Liam's family and friends led to successfully get 50,000 fellow Liverpool fans to clap on the 21st minute of the team's Champions League clash against Salzburg on October 2.

Liam's brother Zach led the tributes, he said: "Bill Shankly once said, you’ve got to have courage, because courage is the ability to get up, when things are getting you down.

"You get up, and you fight back.

"It is this footballing spirit that made him thrive in life. He wore his football shirts with pride.

"He loved Liverpool, and he loved his North Wirral Saints even more.

"It is now with a hope that Clarky is in a better place. I’m sure our clapping was that loud at Anfield that Clarky heard us!

"Hopefully heavens gates are like the gates of Anfield and that Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly are arguing over who gets to pick Clarky first to go in goal.

"Say hello to Timmy the dog for us mate, and enjoy walking him up there. You’ll never walk alone bro.”

At the wake in the Village Hotel in Bromborough, 21 red balloons were released each with personal messages from the people closest to Liam.

One message read: "Liam Lad, thanks for being the best little brother ever, you made my life better. See you soon. Love you."

A playlist of Liam's favourite songs were also played along with a slideshow with more than 700 pictures of him from his life.

The family are now eager to keep Liam's memory alive and are continuing with their #ClapforClarky campaign.

They are hoping to get a bench in memory of Liam at Central Park, Liscard where his beloved North Wirral Saints play while also renaming a cup competition in his name.

Currently they are looking for a sponsor to help buy a commemorative kit in Liam's honour and looking to collect keepsakes for his little boy Rauiri so he can remember his dad by.

In a touching tribute, Luxembourg's Under 21 goalkeeper João Machado donated a pair of signed, match-worn goalkeeping gloves and the first ever shirt that he wore when he was called up to represent his nation in 2018.

On the shirt, João wrote: "Hello Rauiri and Olivia, Just wanted to say that Clarky was a great person! Stay strong and you have a friend for life"

On the gloves, João said: "Your dad was a great person" and "For Rauiri, Clap for Clarky."

Everton ladies goalkeeper Kirstie Levell has also signed a shirt and gloves for Rauiri.

For more information, to get in touch and to keep up to date with #ClapforClarky campaign visit www.facebook.co.uk/clapforclarky