The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper, Ray Clemence, 72
Former Liverpool, To t t e n h a m and England goalkeeper Ray Clemence has died at the age of 72, the Football Association has announced.
Clemence, who won three European Cups and five First Division titles during a trophy-laden spell at Anfield, was arguably one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.
He won 61 England caps, which would undoubtedly have been many more had he not been competing with Peter Shilton, who accumulated 125, for the number one shirt.
An £18,000 signing from Scunthorpe by Bill Shankly, Clemence was a key member of the Liverpool team which dominated Europe between 1977 and
1981, and also picked up two Uefa Cups, an FA Cup and the League Cup.
At Tottenham, whom he joined in 1981 aged 32 for a fee of £300,000, he won another Uefa Cup and FA Cup.
“With great sadness, we write to let you know that Ray Clemence passed away peacefully t o d a y, surrounded by his loving family,” said a statement from the Clemence family.
“After fighting so hard, for such a long time, he’s now at peace and in no more pain.
“The family would like to say a huge thank you, for all the love and support that he’s received over the years. He was loved so much by us all and he will never be forgotten.”
Clemence had been living with advanced prostate cancer since 2005.
In an interview in 2018 with Prostate Cancer UK, the former goalkeeper spoke about how he was dealing with the illness, saying: “I just want to give a positive a tt i t u d e to everybody who has a connection with prostate cancer, whether they’re helping to find cures or they’ve got it.
“There’s lots of talk about men like me only lasting five or six years with it. Well I’m 13 going on 14 years now, and I’m doing all the things that I want.
“I’m a survivor, basically, and I want to continue enjoying life for as long as possible.”
Liverpool paid tribute to their former player, saying on Twitter: “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest ever g o a l ke e p e r s , Ray Clemence.
“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ray’s family and many friends.”
Tottenham tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to report the passing of legendary former goalkeeper Ray Clemence.
“We extend our deepest
sympathies to Ray’s family and many friends throughout the game at this sad time.”
The FA said it was “extremely saddened” to learn of Clemence’s death.
Sir Kenny Dalglish described Clemence as a “true legend”.
He added on Twitter: “C lem was a fantastic team-mate and great to be around.”