Liverpool legend Ian St John has died following a long illness.
St John cemented his place in Anfield folklore by scoring the goal which clinched the club’s first-ever FA Cup in the 1965 final against Leeds United.
The forward and compatriot Ron Yeats became cornerstones of Bill Shankly’s first wave of success at Anfield after arriving from Scotland in summer 1961.
He passed away at Wirral’s Arrowe Park Hospital on Monday, aged 82.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that after a long illness we have lost a husband, father and grandfather,” read a family statement.
“He passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside.
“We would like to thank all the staff at Arrowe Park Hospital for their hard work and dedication during these very difficult times.
“The family would be grateful for privacy at this extremely sad time.”
During a decade-long spell with the Reds, St John scored 118 goals in 425 appearances and was a focal point in two First Division title-winning teams.
He left Merseyside in 1971 and embarked on brief stints at Coventry City, Tranmere Rovers and South African clubs Cape Town City and Hellenic.
A four-year period in management ensued with Motherwell and Portsmouth while he also served as an assistant at Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday.
But St John’s greatest post-playing success arrived in the mid-1980s when he became a pundit and teamed up with ex-Tottenham striker Jimmy Greaves.
‘Saint and Greavsie’ ran on ITV for seven years and became widely credited as a pioneering programme in the evolution of English football broadcasting.
When the show ended in 1992, St John continued to undertake media duties as regular a presenter and match summariser for local station Radio City.
Glowing tributes have been paid across the footballing world to the late Scotland international including plenty from his former Anfield parish.
St John’s former Liverpool teammate Chris Lawler said: “What a competitor.
“He is one of the best players we have ever had at this football club. I used to joke with him about his winning goal in the 1965 FA Cup final.
“I said: ‘Why did you stoop that low to head the ball? You could have just headed it normally!’ What a moment that was to win the FA Cup.
“That was such a special day for us all, to be part of the first Liverpool team to win the FA Cup. I will miss my friend and send all my best to his family.”
Roy Evans added: “Ian was one of our greats, that’s for sure.
“I joined Liverpool at the age of 15 in 1964 and the team were starting to grow under Shanks.
“Even in my early days, when I was in the A and B team, Ian would talk to you. He would try to help me and do things for you. He was a great guy.”
A man of warmth, humour, knowledge, wisdom and joy. Scotland and Liverpool has lost a true giant. My love goes to his family. Rest in peace Ian St John pic.twitter.com/Lygr8oFbcf
— Andy Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) March 2, 2021
Fellow Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard offered a heartfelt tribute to St John while managing in the former no.9’s native Scotland with Rangers.
“He’s an iconic figure at Liverpool Football Club. He’s someone I’d met on numerous occasions and he’s a fantastic guy,” said Gerrard.
“He was really insightful in terms of his career at Liverpool and his knowledge and expertise, and he always wanted to pass that on.
“I’m really devastated to hear the news, and I’m shocked. I’d like to send my condolences to his family. He’s someone I’ve got incredible respect for.”
We are very sad to hear the Saint has passed away Ian St John and I had great fun working on the Saint and Greavsie He was a lovely man & will be sadly missed by many many people. we must also remember he was a great footballer for Bill Shankly’s Liverpool and beyond. #IanStJohn pic.twitter.com/pJHQVnxjpW
— Jimmy Greaves (@jimmy_greaves) March 2, 2021
Jurgen Klopp also reflected on his own personal experience of meeting St John during the five years since he was appointed Liverpool manager.
“He was not only football-wise a legend, but a true legend as a person. It was a pure pleasure to meet him,” said the German.
“I’m just so happy to have met him because the best thing you can learn from these legends is how easy it is to stay the person you are, even when you had the biggest success in the past.
“I feel really honoured to have met him and when I heard the news today, I was devastated.
“All my prayers go to his family and I know he is in a better place as well.”