Emlyn Hughes dies, aged 57
(ESPN Soccernet.com)
Liverpool will hold a minute's silence in memory of former captain Emlyn Hughes,
who died today aged 57 from a brain tumour.
Emlyn Hughes (1970): Liverpool legend and 62 caps for England.
Hughes had been battling the illness for the last 15 months but deteriorated in the
last few days, his wife Barbara said.
Emlin Hughes and Kevin Keegan
'He died at his home in Sheffield with his family around him,' she added.
Hughes made 657 appearances for the Reds after he was signed by Bill Shankly for
65,000 pounds from Blackpool in 1967 and will now be remembered by the club where he spent
the lion's share of his career - and won almost every honour in the game - with a minute's
silence before the Carling Cup match against Middlesbrough at Anfield.
Chief executive Rick Parry told the Liverpool website: 'Our deepest sympathies go
out to wife Barbara, children Emma and Emlyn junior, and the rest of the family at this
sad time.' Hughes, known in the game as `Crazy Horse', won two European Cups, two
UEFA Cups, four league titles and one FA Cup during his time at Anfield.
He was born on August 28, 1947 in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, the son of former
Barrow and England rugby league player Fred Hughes.
He signed professional terms with Blackpool, making 29 First Division appearances
for the Seasiders before joining Liverpool aged 19 for Ј65,000.
He was part of the most glorious period in the Reds' history, firstly under Bill
Shankly and latterly under Bob Paisley. He made 657 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 48
goals.
He completed a full set of domestic trophies by winning the League Cup in 1980 with
Wolves, having joined the Black Country club for Ј90,000 in 1979.
He worked as a player-manager at Rotherham while also playing for Hull, Mansfield
and Swansea.
He was awarded the OBE for his services to sport in 1980. His fame spread with his
regular appearances as a team captain on BBC quiz show A Question of Sport.
|
Former England and Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes
has died at the age of 57. (Sky Sport)
'Crazy Horse' as he was known was one of the best players of his generation,
captaining both his club and country with great distinction.
Hughes had been fighting against a brain tumour in recent times, but finally losy
his brave battle when he passed away in Sheffield on Tuesday morning.
A Bill Shankly signing, Hughes played 665 times for Liverpool and won four league
titles and two European Cups at Anfield.
The effervescent centre half was also a great servant to his country, amassing 62
England caps, and leading out the side 23 times as captain.
Hughes picked up the Footballer of the Year award in 1977, a tribute to the
influence of the Barrow-in-Furness-born star.
 Finally leaving Liverpool in 1979, Hughes
completed the full set of domestic medals by lifting the League Cup with Wolves in 1980 -
the same year he was awarded the OBE for his services to sport.
Hughes was a real character both on and off the pitch, and later went on to star on
television as a captain on Question of Sport.
The father of two was having regular radiotherapy on the tumour near his home in
Sheffield, and the nature of the man meant he fought all the way against the problem.
Phil Neal was a club colleague of Hughes at Anfield and he paid tribute to the
former England captain on Sky Sports News.
"He was special to us all," Neal said. "The Crazy Horse will be
missed.
"His effervescent character and will to win every game rubbed off on all of
us. He was a magnificent captain not just for Liverpool but England as well and we should
never forget that.
"When I first came to Liverpool in 1974, he settled me in.
"He was effervescent and he was a great leader.
"He loved his Shanks (Bill Shankly) and missed him dearly. The pair of them
had similar characteristics.
"His will to win, even in difficult circumstances away from home, with Emlyn
around telling you that you could win, we often did.
"Nobody was more a winner than Emlyn.
"He had great support from Barbara and the kids and we have to send our
condolences to his family, who will be suffering dearly. It will take us all a long while
to get over the loss of Crazy Horse.
"He was always bubbly and sparking and in all the time I have known him, he was never
down.
"He was always effervescent and looking forward and it is so sad that he was
made to battle at the end of his short life."
Liverpool will pay their respects to Hughes by holding a minute's silence before
their Carling Cup clash with Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.
|
