Sports

Ron Yeats, former Liverpool captain, dies at 86

Yeats, who earned two Scotland caps, played 454 games for Liverpool, more than 400 of those appearances as captain—a tally ­bettered only by Steven Gerrard.

438

Yeats, the former Liverpool captain who helped to rebuild the club’s fortunes under Bill Shankly in the 1960s, has died at the age of 86.

Liverpool announced on Friday evening that Yeats, who had an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, had passed away.

“We are mourning the passing of our legendary former captain Ron Yeats,” a club statement on X read. “The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ron’s family and friends.”

Yeats joined Liverpool from Dundee United in 1961 for about £20,000, and was immediately made captain by Shankly.

The defender became his manager’s “colossus,” helping the club win the Second Division title in 1962, followed by two Football League titles, their first FA Cup, and three Charity Shields.

“Shankly made me feel like a million dollars,” Yeats would recall.

“We were coming down the M6, with vice-chairman Sidney Reakes, who had a Rolls-Royce at the time, and me and Bill in the back. I was only 23 and didn’t know what to say.

Bill just turned around and said: ‘‘Ron, I want you to captain the side. You will be my eyes, my ears, and my voice on that pitch’, I thought to myself: ‘Bloody hell’. I did that for him, captain Liverpool, for 10 years. It was the best 10 years of my career and my life.”

During the 1965 FA Cup final at Wembley, Liverpool defeated Leeds United, and Yeats famously told the Queen at the trophy presentation that the energy-sapping 2-1 victory in extra time had left him “knackered.”

Yeats, who earned two Scotland caps, played 454 games for Liverpool, more than 400 of those appearances as captain—a tally surpassed only by Steven Gerrard.

After leaving Liverpool in 1971, Yeats took over as Tranmere’s player-manager, a role he held for three years, followed by a brief spell in the United States in his late 30s.

During his time at Prenton Park, Yeats guided Rovers to a memorable win over Arsenal at Highbury in the 1973 League Cup.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Breaking: Manchester United Appoints Ruben Amorim as New Manager on Two-and-a-Half Year Deal

Manchester United has confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club’s...

Golden Jubilee: Soneye Strikes decisive goal as FS 50 edges Okocha’s FS Legends 2-1

In a thrilling match commemorating Mr. Olufemi Soneye’s 50th birthday, Team FS...

Breaking: Manchester United Sack Erik Ten Hag After West Ham Defeat

Just three months into the new season, Manchester United fired Erik Ten...

Nigeria Thrash Niger Republic 3-1, Qualify for 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Niger Republic’s...

Motsepe Seeks Re-Election as CAF President Amid Financial Prudence

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has announced his bid...

Breaking: CAF Disciplinary Board Fines Libya $50,000, Awards Nigeria 3-0 Victory

The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Disciplinary Board has ruled in favour...

WAFU B U20 Champ: Flying Eagles romp into semi-finals, beating Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 2-1

Nigeria overcame a fierce match against Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in Lome on...

Nigeria’s duo of Lookman, Osimhen nominated for 2024 IFFHS men’s World Best Player Award

Super Eagles stars, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, have been nominated for...

Super Eagles Soar to 36th position in FIFA rankings

Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has made significant strides in...

Nigeria Edges Dominican Republic, Faces USA in Quarter-Finals

Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, secured a thrilling 1-0 victory over...

Kylian Mbappe under investigation for rape, sexual harassment in Sweden

Kylian Mbappe, the French international footballer, is being investigated by Swedish police...

Nigeria vs. Libya: CAF Pres. vows to address unethical sportsmanship issues in African football

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has...

Super Falcons prepare for Algeria friendlies

Nigeria’s national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, has stepped up preparations...

Dominican Republic 2024: Nigeria’s Flamingos Soar into Quarter-Finals, Thrash Ecuador 4-0

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, secured a quarter-final spot in...

Super Eagles star Victor Boniface escapes unhurt after horrific car crash

Nigerian international Victor Boniface miraculously survived a severe car accident on Sunday,...

Nigeria’s Flamingoes Thrash New Zealand 4-1 in U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingoes, secured a convincing 4-1 victory over...

Thomas Tuchel Set to Become New England Manager

The Football Association is about to name Thomas Tuchel as the permanent...

Super Eagles’ ill-treatment in Libya: Tinubu urges CAF to impose appropriate sanction

President Bola Tinubu has warmly welcomed the Super Eagles back home after...

Ex-Green Eagles goal keeper, Fregene a.k.a Apo, dies at 77

Fondly called Apo by teammates and admirers, Fregene who has been critically...