Tivoli Gardens' striker Jermaine Allen along with members of his team carry the casket of their former teammate Oraine Simpson. The funeral service was held yesterday at the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre. - Rudolph Brown

Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to former national player Oraine Simpson at a funeral service, held at the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre yesterday.

Among those present were Prime Minister Bruce Golding, president of the Tivoli Gardens football club and former prime minister, Edward Seaga, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of youth, sports and culture, Carvel Stewart, vice chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association and other members of the football fraternity.

Simpson, 26, was stabbed to death during a dispute on Chestnut Lane, Denham Town in west Kingston on October 13.

Golding, who is also the member of parliament for west Kingston constituency, home of the club that Simpson represented in the Premier League, read scriptures at the service.

Seaga in remembering Simpson, told the gathering that he was a very hard-working and dedicated young man, who will be sadly missed by all. "It was not expected that Oraine Simpson could have come to his end so early," said Seaga.

"He had mapped out his life, set ambitions to be a good football player, and he pursed it with passion," Seaga added. He also disclosed that Tivoli would be honouring Simpson by retiring his number 22 jersey, which he had worn for the club.

Stewart, who is also the chairman of the Harbour View Football Club, said Simpson was a good person both on and off the field.

"We saw Oraine as an example of the type of professional, which we will look to build, to grow this sport of football in Jamaica," said Stewart. "Oraine exemplified good sportsmanship, aggressive, talented football play on the field and good friendship off the field," Stewart said.

Simpson, who had represented the national team on four occasions on was laid to rest at the May Pen Cemetery.