OBITUARIES
Paco GENTO (1933-2022)
In the history of the European Cup, only two teams (never mind players) have lifted the trophy on more occasions than Francisco “Paco” Gento. As the only man to take part in all of Real Madrid’s first six successes in the competition, he leaves an incredible legacy at the club where he spent all but one of his 19 years as a professional footballer.
Beginning his career at Racing Santander, he was so impressive in a performance against Los Blancos that they signed him just three days later. During the 1950s, he was the local
Madridista in the international front-line starring Alfredo Di Stefano, Hector Rial, Ferenc Puskas and Raymond Kopa; by his final European triumph in 1966, he was the elder statesman in a line-up comprised entirely of Spanish players.
As a player Gento was a classic winger with a primary role of providing crosses, and was particularly noted for his pace.
His directness blended perfectly with the deft touches of those players around him, and his team-mates appreciated him too. After a slow start to life at the club, Di Stefano said of his new team-mate to club president Santiago Bernabeu: “He has speed and hits the ball like a cannon. You don’t learn that...we can teach the rest.”
He ended his career in 1971 with 12 La Liga titles, a record that still stands. In 2014, he was named
Real Madrid’s honorary president.
Francois CARRARD (1938-2022)
The former director-general of the International Olympic Committee and head of the FIFA reform task force.
Ahmet CALIK (1994-2022)
An ex-Turkey international, the Konyaspor defender tragically died in a car crash.
Paul HINSHELWOOD (1956-2022)
Right-back who played 319 games for Crystal Palace and won their Player of the Year award in 1979-80 and 1980-81.
Andrew JENNINGS (1943-2022)
A trail-blazing investigative sports journalist who was crucial in exposing the murky practices at the top of the game.
Jamie VINCENT (1975-2022)
A left-back in the Football League who played over 500 games for various clubs, including Bournemouth and Swindon.
Peter ROBINSON (1935-2022)
A crucial figure in Liverpool’s rise to dominance in the 20th century. The Reds won 28 major trophies during his time as club secretary and chief executive.
Eduardo FLORES (1944-2022)
Attacking midfielder in the Estudiantes side that won three successive Copa Libertadores from 1968 to 1970.
Antonio Lima PEREIRA (1952-2022)
Long-serving Porto centre-back who won the European Cup in 1987.
Maurizio ZAMPARINI (1941-2022)
Oversaw Venezia’s rise from Serie C to Serie A, then bought Serie B Palermo in 2002 and took them to the top flight too.
Jochenfritz MEINKE (1930-2022)
A Hamburg legend who won the 1960 league title and made over 300 Oberliga Nord appearances – the highest level of German football in the north before the formation of the Bundesliga.
Hans-Jurgen DORNER (1951-2022)
East Germany’s second-most capped player with 96 caps, “Dixie” spent his entire club career with Dynamo Dresden. Won East Germany’s Player of the Year a joint-record three times, and in 1999 was voted Dynamo’s greatest-ever player.
Wim JANSEN (1946-2022)
A vital player in the Dutch Total Football machine of the 1970s, Jansen started in both World Cup finals after winning four Eredivisie titles and the 1970 European Cup with Feyenoord. Later he became Celtic’s first foreign manager where he won the league title, the Scottish League Cup and signed Henrik Larsson.