Spencer Lam Sheung-yee didn't want a fuss made of his funeral, so when friends, family and colleagues gathered yesterday to bid farewell to the city's best-known soccer commentator, they kept things simple.
There was no memorial service. They simply bowed before an image of Lam, then each placed a flower on his coffin before it was lowered for cremation at the Cape Collinson Crematorium in Chai Wan.
Reading from a letter, Lam's son, Lam Ka-chan, said: 'My father had always said: 'When the time comes, everything should be simple - not to bring trouble for others or myself. My body should be cremated'.'
He added: 'My father loved football all his life and made it his lifelong profession. It was his pleasure to be loved by people from all walks of life.'
Mr Lam thanked the public for their support. A book of messages and signatures from Lam's fans were passed to the son, who promised to burn them in rituals.
Lam, who collapsed and died three weeks ago, was born in 1934 and began his professional career as a striker for Eastern in the local First Division. He represented Taiwan in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo - where the team won the gold medal, beating South Korea in the final - and at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.