‘Sir Roger’ was King of the Kop
ENGLAND World Cup winner and Liverpool’s record league scorer, Roger Hunt was a brilliant and formidable striker. A pivotal force in Alf Ramsey’s 1966 side, he played in all six matches and scored three goals.
During his 11 years at Anfield, Hunt scored 285 goals in 492 appearances, a record only broken by Ian Rush in 1992.
Today, he retains the club’s record of 244 league goals – it’s no wonder Anfield fans called him “Sir Roger”.
Paired with Ian St John, he won league titles in 1964 and 1966 and the club’s first FA Cup in 1965, scoring in the final at Wembley against Leeds United.
A modest man with a strong work ethic, he was unrivalled for his finishing ability yet was never seen to boast. In summing up Hunt’s talent, current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Roger Hunt comes second to no one in his importance in the history of Liverpool FC, that much is clear.”
The club said in a statement: “Liverpool FC is mourning the passing of legendary former player
Roger Hunt. Hunt’s achievements saw him bestowed with an honorary knighthood from the Kop and he will forever be known as ‘Sir Roger’ by supporters of the club he graced with such distinction.”
Hunt was born in Glazebury, Lancashire, and played for Croft Youth Club, Stockton Heath and Devizes Town before signing for Liverpool, aged 20, in 1958.
His talent was clear from the start, scoring against Scunthorpe United in his first game.
Hunt became a consistent striker for the club and scored the equaliser against Borussia Dortmund in the 1966 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, although Liverpool went on to lose 2-1 in extra time.
In the World Cup that summer he scored twice against France and found the net against Mexico. In the final against West Germany he was the first to celebrate Geoff Hurst’s controversial goal, when officials were deliberating whether the ball had crossed the line after crashing down off the bar.
Hunt left Liverpool in 1969 and spent three years with Bolton Wanderers before retiring from football in 1972 and working with his family’s haulage company. He was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his World Cup victory and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
He died at home following a long illness and is survived by his second wife, Rowan Green, and his two children, David and Julie, from his first marriage.