Iconic Liverpool forward Ian St John has died aged 82.
The legendary Scotsman was part of Bill Shankly’s construction that turned Liverpool into a football powerhouse, before enjoying a successful television career as a pundit on ITV.
St John is synonymous with Liverpool’s rise to the top of English football.
The Scottish forward scored 118 goals in 425 Liverpool appearances.
St John joined Second Division Liverpool from Motherwell in May 1961 for a then club record fee of £37,500.
Bill Shankly labelled the signing of Ian St John, as well as fellow Scotsman Ron Yeats as “the turning point” for Liverpool.
St John won the Second Division in his first Liverpool season. He went on to win the First Division in 1964 and 1966.
The 1965 FA Cup Final victory sent the Cup back to the Anfield for the first time.
Liverpool beat Leeds in Extra Time at Wembley, with Ian St John scoring the winner with a trademark header.
Television
Following his successful football career, he turned to management of his native Motherwell, as well as Portsmouth.
However, Saint found universal acclaim on ITV’s ‘Saint and Greavsie’, alongside legendary Tottenham Hotspur forward – Jimmy Greaves. The duo’s football discussion programme ran from 1985 to 1992.
The show famously included a League Cup draw with the future President of the United States – Donald Trump.
On top of ‘Saint and Greavsie’, St John was a highly respected football pundit and analyst for ITV, regularly appearing at major tournaments.
Memorials
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said: “He’s an iconic figure at Liverpool Football Club.”
Sir Kenny Dalglish echoed the words of his former captain, adding: “I think it’s right to use the word ‘icon’ and I send my prayers to Betsy, his wife, and the family and I just hope they are coping as well as they possibly can”.
Television partner Jimmy Greaves released to a statement via his Twitter account which said: “We are very sad to hear the Saint has passed away.
“Ian and I had great fun working on Saint and Greavsie.
“We must also remember he was a great football for Bill Shankley’s Liverpool and beyond.”
(Featured image, – pic under creative commons by ric Koch _ Anefo)
