By Philip Evans

The deep respect in which the community of Axminster and district holds for the Bounds family was much is evidence yesterday (Friday) when hundreds turned out to bid farewell to one of the town's much loved sporting characters.

Adam Bounds was cruelly struck down by a brain haemorrhage two weeks ago at the age of 41. Although he lived in Bristol, Adam collapsed at his family home in Axminster. His death caused shock waves throughout the district with dozens of tributes appearing on social media.

He was laid to rest yesterday at the East Devon Crematorium at Whimple following a funeral service in the Minster Church in Axminster.

Only a limited number of family and friends were allowed in church for the service, conducted by the Rector, the Reverend Clive Sedgewick, because of the COVID-19 regulations.

But waiting to greet the funeral cortege as it arrived outside the church were hundreds of people crowded onto the Minster Green and around Trinity Square, many of them representing the football community of Axminster and district. wearing their football shirts or club ties.

Family members were visibly moved when they saw the number of people who were present to pay their last respects, some of whom were in tears,

Adam was a football fanatic, having played for Axminter Town and Uplyme, and the coffin was draped with a Liverpool FC and an England shirt. His father Les has been connected with Axminster Town all his adult life as a player, committee member, chairman and now a trustee at Tiger Way.

But there was more to Adam than football. He had a great zest for life and had a wide circle of friends in and around Axminster and Lyme Regis.

Adam's son Owen paid a touching tribute to his father in church and when the family emerged from the service, Les, Owen and brother Jaimie, and other members of the family, were applauded as they made their way back to the funeral cars.

It was obviously a traumatic experience for the family seeing how many of Adam's friends were present to say their final farewells.

But they conducted themselves with great dignity and were able to express their thanks when they gathered later at Axminster Town Football to exchange stories about how Adam lived his life to the full.

Adam, who would have been celebrating his 42nd birthday today (Saturday), would have loved it.