Jamie Carragher, Phil Thompson and John Aldridge lead tributes for Liverpool legend Ron Yeats
The tributes have been pouring in following the death of Liverpool legend Ron Yeats. Yeats' passing at the age of 86 after a battle with Alzheimer's was confirmed on Saturday.
Yeats captained Liverpool to its first-ever FA Cup triumph in 1965, also skippering the Reds to the First Division title in 1964 and 1966.
Reacting to the sad news on social media, Jamie Carragher wrote: "A giant of a man and a giant of a player. Everything at Liverpool starts with people like Big Ron. RIP." Phil Thompson added: "So sad to hear of the passing of Big Ron Yeats. One of my heroes as a kid and had the pleasure to become his friend. Doesn’t get much better. RIP Big Man."
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John Aldridge wrote: "Woke up today to the sad news of one of Liverpool football club's all-time greats as a player and a captain... Ron Yeats what a man! I’m honoured to have met him on many occasions. What Ron and the family have gone through the past eight years with his illness is unbelievably sad! All our thoughts from the ex-players are with his family! Good night, God bless Ron. RIP."
A Liverpool statement said: "In the words of Bill Shankly, a ‘colossus’ in club history, the Scot died on Friday night at the age of 86, having sadly suffered with Alzheimer’s in recent years. The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Ron’s wife, Ann, all of his family and his friends at this incredibly sad time. Flags across club sites will be lowered to half-mast today as a mark of respect."
Yeats joined Liverpool from Dundee United in 1961 and was immediately made captain, spending 10 years with the club before joining Tranmere Rovers in 1971.
Yeats returned to Liverpool as chief scout in 1986, a role he remained in up until his retirement in 2006.