Hundreds of mourners line the streets for funeral of Logan Holgate

A funeral service was held at Distington Hall Crematorium for Logan Holgate, 18, who died suddenly earlier this month.

There was a round of applause as the funeral cortege paused briefly outside Logan’s beloved Hensingham ARLFC on his final journey.

Logan was carried inside the crematorium to ‘A Little Respect’ by Erasure. A Hensingham rugby shirt with the number seven was draped over his coffin, along with a rugby ball.

A eulogy was given by celebrant, Kay Wayman, who said that Logan had a “big, big personality” and was a “cheeky chappie”, who “always had a big smile on his face”.

She said: “He liked everyone and loved the banter. He also loved an audience and wanted everyone to know what he was doing and made sure that they did.”

There was a round of applause as the funeral cortege stopped outside Hensingham ARLFC (Image: Newsquest)

Logan was the beloved son of Julie, and cherished brother of Ellison and Fletcher – a “trio of lads who pushed each other on to achieve great things”.

He was “the apple of his grandparents’ eyes” – Phyllis and David – and they were his “biggest fans”.

Logan was also a much-loved nephew, cousin, friend and teammate.

In a tribute, his auntie Lisa, said: “There are simply no words to describe how devastated and heartbroken we are at the loss of a wonderful, unique, smiley young man.

“He always had something to say and he was of course, never wrong. Logan has always been a showman. Make no mistake, he is loving all this attention.

“Logan, along with his two brothers, team ELF, as his mam called them, are talented sportsmen.

“Logan was ultra-competitive and there is fierce but friendly rivalry between the boys.”

She said Logan would tell his brothers to “pipe down” until they had as many England caps as he did.

“Logan’s love for life was simple. It was all about his family, his sport and his mates.

“As we all know, rugby was his real love. He played for a club he loved, with the mates he loved. This was his world.

“His talent was there for all to see, from a young age.

“Logan has always been a popular lad, with that warm infectious grin. Along with his cousin Miller, Logan would go anywhere with anyone. He was always out with his mates.”

She said Logan had had the best 12 months of his life, playing for the England Community Lions and being selected to play for the U19s squad in the European Championships in Italy.

Logan had the best 12 months of his life - winning the Under 19 European Championships in Italy (Image: Archive)

“We were bursting with pride at his selection. From Hensingham’s number 7, to England’s number 9. A dream come true.”

Logan loved Hensingham match days and “gave his best” at every game. The Hensingham club was his second home, where he was a “hugely popular character”.

His auntie said it had been “an absolute honour and privilege” to look after and guide Logan for the last two years – a job his mam had trusted her to do.

She said: “Logan was the ultimate mam’s lad. When he won the European cup, the first thing he did was jump up and point to the sky to his mam, his greatest love.

“Logan is now safe in the arms of his mam. They need each other.

“Logan will always be your 14th man and only a pass away. Our Logan, our captain, our lion, our LH7.”

Jamie Webster’s ‘Weekend in paradise’ was played as mourners said their final goodbyes to Logan.

The Whitehaven News covered the funeral with the permission of Logan’s family.