Liverpool FC’s greatest servant Ronnie Moran dies

Ronnie Moran, Liverpool’s greatest servant, has died at the age of 83.

The legendary Anfield stalwart passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning following a short illness, his family have confirmed.

Liverpool said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the passing of the man who served them for almost half a century.

“Ronnie is fondly remembered for his 49 years of service to Liverpool, during which time he represented the club with distinction as a player, coach, physio, reserve-team coach, assistant manager and caretaker manager,” read a club statement.

 

“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ronnie’s wife Joyce, his children, family and many friends.”

Local rivals Everton also acknowledged the passing of ‘a Merseyside football great’.

Moran spent 49 years with the Reds, first as a player and club captain, making 379 appearances between 1952 and 1968, before graduating to the coaching ranks.

Helping forge the club’s Boot Room dynasty, he was part of a succession of trophy-laden tenures under Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish before spells as caretaker manager.

During that near half-century with the club, he was involved in 13 league title wins, four European Cups, two UEFA Cups, five FA Cups and five League Cup triumphs.

 

Many revered players credited Moran’s no-nonsense approach to training as part of their success with a reputation as a sergeant major of sessions at Melwood.

Tributes also poured in from several former and present Liverpool players.

The reason being captain of Liverpool Football Club is such a huge honour is because legendary figures like Ronnie Moran held it before I did. I wasn’t lucky enough to work with Ronnie but I had the great fortune of being in his company on the occasions when he came to Melwood to walk around the training pitch and although we all regarded him as a true great, he was as humble and down to earth as anyone you could ever come across. I know I speak for all of the current players when I say that we are all deeply saddened by Ronnie’s passing and the greatest tribute we can pay to him is to give everything we’ve got for Liverpool Football Club just as he did each and every single day during the 49 years he spent here. YNWA

A post shared by Jordan Henderson (@jhenderson) on Mar 22, 2017 at 3:41am PDT

 

Really upset to hear about Ronnie Moran. He was the strongest voice in the dressing room and improved an awful lot of #LFC players.

— Jim Beglin (@jimbeglin) March 22, 2017

 

So so sorry to hear of the passing of my friend and mentor Ronnie Moran a true LFC great RIP BUGGSY

— Phil Thompson (@Phil_Thompson4) March 22, 2017

 

Very sad news with the passing of Ronnie Moran this morning, a legendary figure @LFC & learnt me & others an awful lot. R.I.P.

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 22, 2017

 

So sad to learn that Ronnie Moran passed away last night. A truly pivotal figure @LFC during the most successful years in their history.

— michael owen (@themichaelowen) March 22, 2017

 

Gutted to hear that Ronnie Moran has passed away. A true footballing man who gave me great advice. RIP #YNWA

— jon flanagan (@jon_flan93) March 22, 2017

 

His association with Liverpool continued beyond his retirement in summer 1998, by which point he had become its longest-serving employee.

As a regular to Melwood, he was welcomed openly by current players and managers alike, including Jurgen Klopp as recently as last February.

Three weeks ago, Moran and his family had launched ‘Mr Liverpool’, an autobiography documenting his lifelong connection with Anfield.