Ray Clemence: Former Liverpool, Spurs and England goalkeeper dies at 72 | Football

Tributes have been showered for former Liverpool, Tottenham and England goalkeeper Ray Clemence, who died at the age of 72.

Clemence was one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Anfield after being signed by Bill Shankly for £ 18,000 from Scunthorpe United in 1967. He also won 61 games for England, a total that would have been a lot. older, but for the Peter Shilton contest. England will wear black armbands in tribute to their former number one and goalkeeping coach in Sunday night’s Nations League game against Belgium. A full tribute will be paid before Wednesday’s game with Iceland at Wembley.

The Skegness-born goalkeeper had cancer for many years. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005 and also received treatment for a brain tumor.

“It is with great sadness that we write to inform you that Ray Clemence passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his loving family,” said a statement from the Clemence family on Sunday. “After fighting so hard, for so long, he is now at peace and without pain. The family would like to greatly appreciate all the love and support they have received over the years. We all love him very much and we will never forget him. “

Liverpool announced that the club was “deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest goalkeepers in history, Ray Clemence. Everyone’s thoughts at Liverpool Football Club are with Ray’s family and many friends. “Clemence is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in Liverpool history. In an illustrious 13-year career at Anfield, with a total of 665 appearances , won three European Cups, five league titles, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup and one League Cup. Having replaced Tommy Lawrence as Shankly’s first choice during the 1969-70 campaign, he missed only six league games for the next 11 seasons, always present in 1978-79 when Liverpool conceded just 16 goals in 42 games, a club record.

“Today we have lost a true legend” Sir Kenny Dalglish tweeted. “Clem was a fantastic teammate and it was great to be around. I will never forget how he helped me settle in at Anfield. Our thoughts are with the Clemence family. RIP Clem. “Phil Thompson wrote on Twitter:” I am so sorry to hear Ray Clemence pass away, my eyes and ears as a teammate, and what a goalkeeper. I love Vee and the whole family. YNWA. “

Current Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said: “You only need to listen to the LFC legends of his day to understand their importance. They say it better than I do, that Ray Clemence is one of the reasons our club is so special all these years later. It was one of the cornerstones on which much of the success of this club was based. Our feeling right now is, of course, overwhelming sadness, but it’s also an appreciation. “

Clemence joined Spurs for £ 300,000 in 1981 and won the UEFA Cup and FA Cup for seven years at White Hart Lane. Your former teammate Ossie Ardiles tweeted: “It is very sad to hear the news of Raymondo’s passing. He was a great goalkeeper, wonderful companion, friend. He fought this disease to the end. We will miss you. Rest in peace my friend. “After his retirement as a player, Clemence joined the Spurs coaching staff. In 1996 he became England’s goalkeeping coach and worked for Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Sven Göran-Eriksson and Steve McClaren in a long international career, he was also head of the development team of the Football Association.

Eriksson told Sky Sports: “As a player he was one of the best of all time, working with him was fantastic, so I was very interested in keeping him when he was England manager. He was positive, happy, spread a good mood, and was very skilled at what he did.

“Sometimes at first he chose [England’s goalkeeper] and I was sure he was right, I trusted him 110%. He was a great man to me, not just professionally but personally and we became close friends. ”Clemence is survived by his wife, Veronica, son Stephen, a former player and now coach, and daughters Sarah and Julie.