He was remembered during a heartbreaking service at St Christopher's Church, in Holme Wood, where he was described by family, friends and his former teachers as "beautiful", "incredibly intelligent" and "amazing".

Hundreds of mourners wearing red lined Holmewood Road before the service and packed into the church to pay their respects to the 17-year-old, who died during a motorbike crash in Thailand on January 24.

• READ MORE: Gareth Southgate's tribute to Anthony Ryan

Mr Ryan was visiting Thailand on his first holiday and did not have travel insurance, leading his family, friends and strangers to help raise £8,000 to fly his body back to the UK.

There was standing room only as Canon Gary Hodgson led the service after the youngster's coffin had been carried into the church to Another Love by Tom Odell.

He said: "Anthony was young and had his whole life ahead of him and it seems he was just getting his life together before this terrible, terrible tragedy.

"We realise to our horror how fragile life is."

Among those paying tribute during the funeral was Lyndsey Brown, head teacher of Oastlers School, who read out a letter she received from England manager Gareth Southgate after he met and coached Anthony during a training session in 2014.

She said Anthony was "an incredibly intelligent young man, sharp and really able."

She added: "He could've gone far because he was incredibly bright.

"He was loyal, compassionate and kind, and one thing I'm certain about is that he absolutely loved his family."

Mrs Brown said she remembered Anthony as a talented athlete who excelled at football and boxing, but had a wicked sense of humour and once made a teacher a cup of coffee complete with a teaspoon of salt instead of sugar.

His football skills brought him into contact with the current England manager five years ago during a training session at the school when he was then manager of the U21's national team.

Mrs Brown said Mr Southgate heard about Anthony's untimely death and penned a letter to her offering his condolences.

Anthony was born in Dewsbury in September 2001 and moved to Holme Wood before attending Ryecroft School, Tong High School and then Oastlers School.

The funeral also heard from Anthony's former boss in Penzance, Cornwall, where he had recently moved to from Holme Wood in a bid to turn his life around.

He said Anthony worked for him setting up events and said he had done an amazing job.

He touched on the compassion the 17-year-old would regularly show to others when he came across a homeless couple in Torquay on New Year's Eve.

After initially walking past them, Anthony went back and gave them some money before breaking down in tears because of their situation.

His ex-boss, who was with him at the time, said: "He went back to gave them some money and he sat on a windowsill nearby and cried his eyes out.

"It's just not in Anthony and he doesn't like this sort of thing.

"The fun we had together was amazing and there are so many memories."

Canon Gary Hodgson also read out a tribute from Anthony's best friend, Jack.

He said: "Never in a million years did I think that throughout all the crazy things we have done I would be writing this.

"I'm going to miss the times we would go and meet girls, play football in the summer together or play on the Playstaton and have everyone shout at us in the early hours of the morning because we had won.

"No matter where I go, you go, and it was the best thing I could ever ask for in a mate.

"You looked up to me like I was the big brother you never had.

"I will never forget about every good time and memory we had together, mate.

"There's not a single day that goes by that I won't think about you and I don't know how I will carry on without my other half, my little angel.

"I'm going to try my hardest to do it for you, my angel.

"Be good up there mate because I already know you are flying about in a grey Audi RS6 and you have endless girls falling all over and living the dream because that's what I taught you and because you are absolutely gorgeous.

"I will do you proud mate and do all the things we always promised we would do together.  I love you from the very bottom of my heart; always have, always will."

Anthony's coffin was taken to an internment at Bowling Cemetery before the wake was held at The Hand and Shuttle, in Tong Street.

From Community contributor

What is your response?Miss you forever lovely, it’s been a pleasure knowing you❤️

Your pictures

Miss you forever lovely, it’s been a pleasure knowing you❤️

From Aliyah O’ Sullivan

What is your response?Love you loads anth, you was like the big brother I never had, am going to miss u telling me what to do and they best advice you gave, you always made sure I was doing good and I’ll always love and miss you, you did everyone so proud your one of a kind I hope your looking down on all of us. All my love to his family especially his mam and brothers he adored you all XOXOX

From Community contributor

What is your response?I only knew Anthony for a short time at school but he was such a witty, well respected member of the class. His death has had a profound impact on all the school as he was loved by all who he met. Rest in peace xxx

From Community contributor

What is your response?Fly high Anthony xx

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Fly high Anthony xx