Former Liverpool, Tottenham and England goalkeeper Ray Clemence has died at the age of 72, the Football Association has announced.
Clemence, who won three European Cups and five First Division titles during a trophy-laden spell at Anfield, was arguably one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.
At Tottenham, whom he joined in 1981 aged 32 for a fee of £300,000, he won another Uefa Cup and FA Cup. Spurs released a statement revealing Clemence “passed away peacefully today following a long battle with illness aged 72, surrounded by his loving family.”
A family statement read: “After fighting so hard, for such a long time, he’s now at peace and in no more pain. The family would like to say a huge thank you for all the love and support that he’s received over the years. He was loved so much by us all and he will never be forgotten.”
We are extremely saddened to learn that former #ThreeLions goalkeeper and coach Ray Clemence has passed away at the age of 72.
All of our thoughts are with Ray’s family, friends and former clubs at this time. pic.twitter.com/VfMLuhH8zw
— England (@England) November 15, 2020
An £18,000 signing for Liverpool from Scunthorpe by Bill Shankly, Clemence was a key member of the Liverpool team which dominated Europe between 1977 and 1981, and also picked up two Uefa Cups, an FA Cup and the League Cup while at Anfield.
Clemence won 61 England caps, which would undoubtedly have been many more had he not been competing with Peter Shilton, who accumulated 125, for the No 1 shirt.
On hearing the news of Clemence’s death, Shilton tweeted: “We were rivals but good friends. Ray was a brilliant goalkeeper with a terrific sense of humour. I will miss him a great deal as we’ve kept friends long after retiring. RIP my friend.”
Clemence is survived by his wife Veronica, son Stephen – a former player himself and now a coach – and daughters Sarah and Julie.