John Ritchie died on 23 February in a nursing home

The 65-year-old, who been in poor health for several years, scored 176 goals in 343 games in two spells with the club between 1962 and 1975.

He won the League Cup when Stoke beat Chelsea at Wembley in 1972. A double leg fracture ended his career and he concentrated on his pottery business.

The funeral is taking place at St Peter's Church in Stoke on Wednesday.

He was a hero, an icon - part of a team of heroes David Ritchie, son

The League Cup-winning team will form a guard of honour.

Speaking before the funeral, his son, David, said: "It was a special time for him.

"The fact that they've all taken time out shows how much they thought of each other.

"I just wish my dad was at the head of it and it was in completely different circumstances.

"I could not be prouder of my father and the man he was and how many lives he touched in this area."

Cup semi finals

Tony Waddington reportedly bought the forward, without seeing him play, for �2,500 on a scout's recommendation.

After scoring 30 goals in 47 games, he was sold to Sheffield Wednesday for �70,000 in 1966.

He signed again for Stoke for �25,000 less than three years later.

As well as the League Cup triumph, Stoke also reached the FA Cup semi-finals twice in his second spell at the Victoria Ground.

'Real support'

Speaking about tributes to his father, he said: "Everybody speaks as though they knew him, as though he was their long-lost friend.

"I suppose that was because people grew up in an era when he was a hero, an icon - part of a team of heroes.

"When my father passed away, it was almost instantaneous people phoning into Radio Stoke, which the whole family listened to.

"It was a real support at a time when it feels like your world's caved in on itself."