California I was born in Liverpool and saw Crazy Horse play many, many times. He eventually made 650 appearances for the Reds and captained his country 23 times, being named Footballer of the Year in 1977, and could play full back, centre back and midfield. Steve Finch, Lifelong Lverpool FanRIP CRAZY HORSE. Rotherham v Barnsley, England Old Boy s agony . He was simply the best captain I have ever seen- Deepest Sympathises to all who knew him. He was our captain when I saw my first game at Anfield, and his love of the game, and our club was infectious. He will be sadly missed. "He was a wonderful player and a fantastic example to everyone. It is a sad day when he passed away but I will never forget him. "This boy, Emlyn Hughes, is a first-class example of how all young lads should set about learning the game at professional level. The captain of England!" Bill CorryAnd so Peace, Great Smiler, Emlyn Who showed, by example, That life could be fun and exciting On forelorn rain-swept Nothern days Who put colour, suprise and confidence Back into our often greyed-out lives To defy the odds and gravity And allow our dreams to unfold As as we never, ever dared hope. A terrible loss and to early. All our deepest condolences go to his wife and family. Barbara says: We went to our GP, then a specialist who sent him for an MRI scan. He taught at Caltech for 11 years before returning to Columbia in 2006. 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Hughes earned 62 caps for the national team and led Liverpool to a string of honours while at the Anfield club. He was also immortalised in comic strip form as he was signed by Melchester Rovers in the Roy of the Rovers strip; he also wrote a column for the teenage football magazine Match. Emma says: They couldnt get all the tumour so we asked, Right, whats next? The medical team said there was no cure. "He used to drive me on a Friday to meet up with the team bus for an away game and he would convince me we would win 2-0 - just like Shankly would have done. Initially alongside Lloyd, Hughes went from strength to strength in central defence, before being paired with Thompson when Lloyd picked up a knee injury at the beginning of February. Emma explains: Dad was chatting when he just went fell over sideways. In the absence of Shanklys first-choice No. By the time theyd prepared a room and sent the ambulance it was too late, she says. He's still my hero. Smith maintained that the only witness was Ian Callaghan. Its an overused phrase, but there will NEVER be another. Long live the King. Within days of Hughes arrival at Liverpool, he was unexpectedly thrown straight into first-team action at home to Stoke City. Heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends, He will never walk alone.Godbless Emlyn rest in peace xxxx. His Liverpool debut came in a 2-1 victory over Stoke City in March 1967. [8] However, he left A Question of Sport and the corporation as a whole in 1987 to go to ITV and captain a team on Sporting Triangles. Hughes lunged into a last-ditch tackle but Domarski's shot evaded his block and slipped under Shilton's body and into the net. NellyI'm a reds fan but only managed to see Emlyn play for the team were I was born Hull City. Hughes made his Wolves debut at the Baseball Ground on 22 August 1979 in a 10 win over Derby County. 2013, 2014. Liverpool were 2-1 winners, a result that returned them to the top of the First Division, yet after an FA Cup exit away to Everton a game that Hughes was cup-tied for Shanklys side drifted to a fifth-placed finish, winning only two of their remaining 11 league games as the goals dried up. Guy FinchNo fan will ever walk alone. His racing colours incorporated Liverpool red, Blackpool tangerine, Wolves gold and the white of England football shirts. My prayers are with his family at this time. Always full of enthusiasm and energy. Hed just come back from the 1970 World Cup in Mexico and he said, I think its time we thought about getting married everybodys beginning to talk about us. you will be sorely missed, Liverpool f.c lost a great man. RIP, Emlyn. Cameron, Emmas five-year-old son, is a Liverpool fan and recognises his grandad in old TV clips. A very sad loss, indeed. JOHNNY STEVENSONScottish through and through but my team is Liverpool. Former Reds midfielder Terry McDermott remembers Hughes as a "bundle of joy". It is an apt image of two men giving their all for a club that they helped become the worlds greatest. peteone of the all time greats a great team leader the best england captain and all time best lfc player and captain r.i.p. His 59 appearances for England while at Liverpool made him the club's most capped player until Welsh striker Ian Rush broke the record more than ten years later. He became Liverpool captain in 1973, taking over from Tommy Smith and his years at Anfield were the most successful in the clubs history. He never moaned or said: Why me? He was just lovely to be with and we spent more time together., Smiling, she recalls one odd change after his surgery. My father had cancer and we have been through it all, chemo all the horrible things that it brings. ROBERT BAGGALEYI WILL MISS THE MIGHTY EMLYN! One of the greats of a great Liverpool side is no longer with us.". "Those lucky enough to see him play will recall his boundless enthusiasm, 100% commitment and unrelenting passion for the club whenever he had the Liver Bird close to his chest. Before the end of 1972, it had become patently clear that Rosss replacement in the squad, Trevor Storton, was not of a high enough quality to be entrusted to be Liverpools primary backup central defender, and when Smith continued to suffer with a cluster of injuries during the autumn and winter of 1972/73 it was to Hughes that Shankly turned for cover. Prof. Hughes group was also involved in R&D activities on ultra-thin silicon detectors for future colliders, in collaboration with the Brookhaven National Laboratory and IPHC in Strasbourg, France. If you ever get the chance to watch it on video just see what those goals meant to him. Clubs: Blackpool, Liverpool, Wolves, Hull City, Mansfield Town, Swansea City, Rotherham Utd (manager), Club honours: (Liverpool): 4 league titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 3 Charity Shields, 1 UEFA Super Cup, Footballer of the Year 1977 (Wolves): 1 League Cup, Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox. The couple married in 1972 after a typically understated proposal. He handled the noisy local kids clamouring for his autograph superbly. "Before that, I was a footballer maybe 15% of people knew. Over the years . He became even kinder and more thoughtful. Hughes later joined her team for the much criticised It's a Royal Knockout project, the brainchild of her brother Prince Edward. His father Fred played rugby league for Great Britain, as did his uncle and brother, while one of his aunts was a hockey international. and it dawned on me - he played the game in the spirit it was always meant to be played - and the spirit I enjoyed watching it played. God bless you and your family Crazy Horse from all scousers in the USA. But Hughes was not just popular with Liverpool and Wolves fans, as one un-named fan highlighted: The fan said: "Not just a loss to Liverpool, or even England, but a great loss to football. Kevin ChappleGrowing up as a teenager in the 70's and watching the Reds gave us all some of the most magical experiences we could ever wish for. Christina SmithA true gent with a heart of gold. He was virtually unable to walk and his eyesight was affected. Alongside Peter Jones he was present at the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985, saying "Football has died and the hooligans have won. Former Reds captain and manager Graeme Souness told BBC Radio Five Live: "He. John Carroll. I was shocked to see the news about the most loved Liverpool player, who shuns the term "star" He just loved the game, and poured his heart into every match. What he said was typical, "Jesus Christ did I write that?". They are doing it for Brain Tumour Research, a charity which raises awareness of the disease that took Emlyns life. Valuable at left-back as Hughes was, Shankly was convinced that his new signings future was best laid in a more central position, from where the former Blackpool man could have a wider influence on the rest of the team. He had time for everybody and will be sadly missed. Emlyn saw the danger and ran the full length of the pitch and disspossed him in the penalty area with the best tackle I've ever saw a player engage. I was so happy to see that big grin of Emlyns when he lifted the cup. We'll never forget you. He was exactly as you would see him on television. RIP. My sincere condolences to the family of Emlyn. "Yozzer" epitomised everything that was great about the team.He was one of us and we were all in it together.Thanks, Emlyn, for the example you set and for the time of our lives. Emlyn Hughes, footballer, born August 28 1947, died November 9 2004. . I will always remember as if it was yesterday the look on Emlyn's face as he trudged up the stairs at Wembly after narrowly losing the FA Cup Final in 1977 to Man Utd. What an introduction! On the Picture Board, Emlyn does his usual "Number 6 please David." It was bad. He was my inspiration.GOODBYE, Sydney God Bless Emlyn - a great bloke - from a Blue, A TRUE LEGEND.A REAL GENTLEMAN.AND A SAD LOSS TO FOOTBALL, ONE OF LIVERPOOLS TRUE LEGANDS NEVER TO BE FORGOTTON. The reaction of Smith was to storm out of Highbury and onto the first train out of Euston that was bound for Liverpool. He took an absolutely immense liking to Marks and Spencers scampi. Emlyn was a great player an takes me back to my childhood in the 70's when we the reds were the best.god bless thoughts are with Emlyns family you'll never walk alone. The National Football Museum in Preston started its Hall of Fame in 2002 with the inductees chosen by a selection panel that included Gordon Banks, Sir Trevor Brooking, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton, Mark Lawrenson and Gary Lineker. Across those weeks, Hughes versatility shone, as he also covered a couple of games at left-back in the absence of Alec Lindsay, before returning to midfield, where he had been covered by the emerging Phil Thompson Hughes future central defensive partner, but at that point a skilled, if physically awkward midfielder himself. Fantastic player that powered the club forward. His last public appearance was at the 2004 Grand National, seven months before his death; he was interviewed on Grandstand as an owner of Mantles Prince, one of the runners. Hughes was now predominantly a central defender and played in a tactically disastrous team against Italy in Rome, which marked the lowest point of Revie's tenure as England manager. In October 1973, Hughes was part of the England side that was held to a draw at Wembley by a motivated, talented but also fortuitous Poland, a result that sent the visitors onto the World Cup finals the following year. It is a sad day when he passed away but I will never forget him. We picked him up and took him to St John Ambulance and he came round fine. David Fairclough talks about Emlyn Hughes, Rafa Benitez pays tribute to Emlyn Hughes, People in Liverpool remember Emlyn Hughes. Who can forget the Derby goals he scored and his way of celebrating. "[citation needed] Hughes did indeed go on to captain his country. The doctor called that night.. Across the span of these months, Hughes alternated between midfield and left-back, as Shankly sought the right chemistry for his faltering champions. Great man,great character and a great player.Best England Captain after Bobby Moore.R.I.P.Crazy Horse,you'll never walk alone. My thoughts are with him and his family. A terrible loss and to early. Good bye and Rest in Peace. Afterwards, 99.9% knew me. Four days later, Hughes captained Liverpool to a 31 win over Borussia Mnchengladbach in Rome to win the 1977 European Cup Final, the first time the team won Europe's most prestigious club title. That day hed had his breakfast, lunch and his tea. Dave Price He was everything a footballer should be. R.I.P Emlyn, gone but not forgotten. Give our best wishes to Shanks when you see him. Prior to returning to Columbia as a Professor in 2006, Hughes was a Professor of Physics at Caltech for 11 years. And thats when it hit. I remember this big man.. and he was just that a Big Man. cathy LongMy 1st real memory of Emlyn Hughes is me mum & Dad drinking with him &john Tosack,Ray Clements & friends,I was 7yrs old but I recall my parents saying what a genuine bloke he was & how fond he spoke of his wife Barbara.He was a captain Liverpool FC will never forget & remember fondly! His medals say it all. He was playing for Blackpool at the time. Meanwhile, England were about to fly to Mexico and defend the World Cup won four years earlier. My abiding memory, Euro cups and League championships excepted, was when be scored two barnstorming goals at Goodison to give us victory over the blues. To confuse a temporary French teacher at shool, I even said my name was Emlyn Huges she never knew I wasn't! Hughes died of a brain tumour, aged 57, in 2004. But he was never spoilt and aloof like some of todays stars and his down-to-earth attitude endeared him to millions, especially on BBC1s A Question of Sport. crazy horse youll never walk alone. Added to these domestic honours were two European Cups, including Liverpool's first in 1977; and two UEFA Cup titles. There was no coma, he didnt talk gobbledegook, he was just normal and then he was gone. Emlyn, you will always be in our hearts. Nigel Cooke (Derry, N. Ireland)As a Reds fan since the 60s, I was delighted to meet Emlyn at my local club, Derry City FC, in the mid-80s when he was doing a feature for BBC television. The statistics were something like one in every ten thousand. Hughes started playing for Liverpool Football Club in 1967. Ramsey gave Hughes his debut on 5 November of that year, playing him at left back in a friendly against the Netherlands at the Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam. A true gent with a heart of gold. if only l`pool had one like you we might be brill again, I first sttod on the kop in 1964 - and still attend most matches at Anfield. Women's Super League Titles. A great loss to everyone. Now you're with Shanks, Crazy Horse. In the years to come, while England lurched from being outclassed by West Germany in the two-legged 1972 European Championship playoffs to failing to qualify for the 1974 World Cup with Hughes shackled to left-back, at Liverpool he was Shanklys on-pitch general, dictating a new rise of a fresh team from the centre of midfield, joining forces with Ian Callaghan, who had switched from the right-hand side. 19,681 views Apr 16, 2015 89 Dislike Share Save Valerie Harvey 18 subscribers Subscribe Emlyn Hughes rare footage in conversation at the AWD. He treated everybody the same he was easy-going and enthusiastic about everything.. Well Ill be the second person to survive, then., That attitude helped us too because we couldnt wallow in self-pity., He got nicer if that was possible, says Barbara. And so Peace, Great Smiler, Emlyn Who showed, by example, That life could be fun and exciting On forelorn rain-swept Nothern days Who put colour, suprise and confidence Back into our often greyed-out lives To defy the odds and gravity And allow our dreams to unfold As as we never, ever dared hope. 4 years ago after the last race at Cartmel we wre leaving the course and saw Emlyn with a group of his friends having a beer and a barbecue.He invited us to join them and when he realised my wife was an American they both struck up an impromtu duet and sang New York, New York. Hughes's involvement with the BBC also included work as an analyst on radio. Thanks for being a real star Emlyn. Both of you loved and missed. Again, Ramseys inflexibility was brought into question, inclusive of his lack of vision concerning Hughes. Scouses from the Bay Area of the USA. Emma says: Its happened a few times recently with Liverpool doing so well and when Cameron sees them he says, Thats my grandaddy with the big cup, grandaddy who lives on a big cloud.. . We can trace the seeds of Smith's dislike for Hughes back to 1973, when after a much publicized fallout with Bill Shankly, Smith was dumped from the role of team captain and replaced byEmlyn Hughes. Hughes was the on-pitch leader of Liverpool during unprecedented times. He was on commentary duties for BBC radio at Hillsborough. RIP. 630 Pupin, Mail Code: 5255, United States, Columbia University in the City of New York. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Liverpool won no honours in Paisley's first season in charge but achieved another League championship and UEFA Cup double in 1976. Emlyn Hughes joined Bill Shankly's Liverpool from Blackpool in February 1967. He was exactly as you would see him on television. Emma says: They couldnt get all the tumour so we asked, Right, whats next? The medical team said there was no cure. Liverpool did not win any honours in his first four seasons there, but Hughes was seen as a forerunner of the future which Shankly had in mind. MarkI'm not from Liverpool, but the guy was a great advert for your city, for commitment and for sportsmanship. what a great man not only for football but for your fine city my condolences to emlyns family youll never walk alone god bless. He was the youngest player selected by Ramsey, and the only Liverpool player in the squad. He just seemed like a nice, ordinary, well-mannered guy. Both of you loved and missed. Heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends, He will never walk alone.Godbless Emlyn rest in peace xxxx. Afterwards I did think, He got the better of me even then. Total shock, one of my favourite players of all time. I cannot believe itThis guy was my hero when I was growing up in Ireland. he asked them, and only when they replied "Please" would he sign for them adding "That little word got me to where I am today - remember it." Tameem AdelYou taught us how it feels to be a footballer. TonyGave it his all, not only for the Liver Bird, but anything he set out to do. What an introduction! Hughes was now the undisputed dynamo of Shanklys team, and despite Byrne finally admitting defeat in his bid to play on, the Liverpool manager had no intention of switching Hughes to left-back, even with Alf Ramsey taking him to the 1970 World Cup primarily as a backup to Terry Cooper in the position. He lifted the spirits of the team when they journeyed to Rome for the European Cup Final and the rest is history. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. What hastened the end of Hughes Liverpool career was the signing and hypnotically impressive ascent of Alan Hansen, whose composure and vision in possession was startlingly evident as soon as he made his first-team debut in September 1977. After walking away from football management, Hughes moved into radio, television and print media, also gaining huge popularity for his appearances on A Question of Sport. Terrance Eganu were the gratest player of all times. Keith DiamondFantastic player that powered the club forward. If you ever get the chance to watch it on video just see what those goals meant to him. Carl Leather Rest Well Emlyn you were one of the best!!! He was a member of the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in Geneva, Switzerland, where his group was involved in both hardware (pixel detector) and data analysis (studies of jets, photons and the Higgs). It had to be M&S. kaz from margate the world will be a sadder place without one of liverpools best ever players. Farewell Mighty Emlyn. will will miss u. we hope u r.i.p. I'm 59 years old and can remember when Shanks signed Emlyn from Blackpool as a raw younster who became a great inspirational footballer for Liverpool and England and he captained both.