11:29a.m. 26th August 2008

| By Sam Benger

Caloundra rugby league great John Reddy, pictured in July 2007.

It was standing room only at yesterday’s funeral in Caloundra for local rugby league legend John Reddy.

More than 300 family, friends and members of the football fraternity gathered to remember a tough coach, good friend and devoted family man.

His sons, Paul and Peter, recalled John’s fondness for a “beer and a bet”, although they said he was probably the “worst tipster going around”.

Peter remembered his dad’s great sense of humour and told of a practical joke involving a bugle filled with corn flour which, when blown by an unsuspecting passer-by, resulted in the person being covered with flour.

But it was John’s dedication to rugby league that touched many across the Sunshine Coast, and the congregation remembered the great camaraderie and friendships formed both on and off the footy field when John was around.

Greg Hynes said John commanded a lot of respect and had a soft side that only those closest to him saw.

“He brought people together in a way that they would do anything for him,” he said.

He recalled the lengths John went to to get a birthday cake for one of his players after a match.

“Back in those days, the shops closed at 12pm, so John started knocking on people’s doors asking them who owned the cake shop ... and when he finally found the owner, he made him drive all the way to his shop so he could get a cake,” he said.

“That’s the kind of man he was – he’d do anything for you.”

More than 300 mourners gathered at John Reddy's funeral.

Mr Reddy, 65, died last Monday from a suspected heart attack after 15 years living with a painful spinal condition, which eventually forced him to rely on a wheelchair.

He will forever be known as the man who captained and coached the Nambour All Whites to five premierships before going on to coach Caloundra to two grand final wins.