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But Craig Levein drew the biggest round of applause when he assured Eddie Thompson that his name would always be first on his team-sheet had football rather than accountancy been his chosen profession.

Scottish football yesterday mourned the Dundee United chairman, who died last week aged 68, after a six-year battle with cancer. As well as requesting that Levein, the manager he appointed only two years ago, speak at his service, Mr Thompson also made a special appeal for "colourful clothing" to be worn.

This meant the choice for those who filled the pews at the St Mary's Scottish Episcopal Church in Broughty Ferry, or else stood on the street outside, was really only tangerine or tangerine.

Many sported scarves in the church, while outside, flags celebrated the club with which Mr Thompson became synonymous after a distinguished career in the grocery business.

Many of these items were later tied to the hearse as Mr Thompson made his last journey from the church where he had worshipped since moving to Dundee from Glasgow in the 1960s. The song which rang out into the street, closed to traffic to allow mourners to stand outside the church, was Beautiful Sunday, a United anthem.

Six Dundee United first-team players, including skipper Lee Wilkie, bore the coffin, while widow Cath, son Stephen and daughter Justine followed behind.

"He played a tough game, but he played by the rules," said the Very Reverend Robert Breaden, who had known Mr Thompson since 1972.

It was his passion for Dundee United, the club he bought in 2002 after a protracted takeover battle, which remained a theme of yesterday's service.

"If there was a player who could make United stronger, Eddie pursued him, whatever the cost," recalled Spence. "If it could help his beloved Dundee United, he was the man from Del Monte. He always said 'yes'. Football is a big boys' game, and in the rough and tumble, people fall out and they fall back in again. It is well documented that Ed went through managers as he searched for success at United. It is testament to Eddie, and the men concerned, that they all remained on speaking terms."

The congregation included Ian McCall, who was sacked by Thompson in 2005 but who described the chairman as being like a father to him. Other figures from the world of football were Gordon Strachan, and Barry Robson, both now of Celtic.

Martin Bain, the Rangers chief executive attended, as did Gordon Smith, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, and representatives from Dundee FC. Levein struggled to overcome emotion during a powerful address. "I was going to say I would give up any of the victories this season to see him one more time," he said. "Then I could hear him saying to me, 'What the hell did you give those three points away for?' "

"All players look for one major thing in managers and that is leadership," he added. "He could make a decision. Even if it was wrong, he could convince you that it was 100 per cent right. If he was a football player, he would be the first name on my team-sheet every single week."