Ron Yeats, the first Liverpool captain to lift the FA Cup, will be remembered as one of the club’s all-time greats who helped lay the foundations for future success.
Yeats’ death at the age of 86 was announced by Liverpool on Saturday morning.
The Aberdeen-born centre-back – whom manager Bill Shankly famously invited journalists to “take a walk around him, he’s a colossus” at his unveiling at Anfield – had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for some time.
Yeats moved to Liverpool from Dundee United in July 1961 aged 23 – and within six months assumed the captaincy which he was to hold for 10 years.
His record 417-match run as Reds skipper was only broken by Steven Gerrard in the last decade.
After helping Liverpool out of the Second Division, Yeats won two Division One league titles and, significantly, lifted the Reds’ first FA Cup in 1965 – forgetting all etiquette to tell the the Queen at the trophy presentation he was “knackered” after an energy-sapping final win over Leeds.
Having made 454 Liverpool appearances he left to be Tranmere’s player-manager for three years, followed by brief spell in America in his late 30s before returning to Anfield in 1986 as chief scout, a role he held for two decades.
A giant of a man & a giant of a player. Everything at @LFC starts with people like Big Ron. RIP ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RyEjUFOACn
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 7, 2024
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher felt Yeats was one of the pioneers of the club’s golden era of success, both in England and Europe.
“A giant of a man and a giant of a player,” Carragher said X, formerly Twitter.
“Everything at Liverpool starts with people like Big Ron. RIP.”
Announcing his death in a club statement on Saturday morning, Liverpool said: “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.”
We are mourning the passing of our legendary former captain Ron Yeats.
The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ron’s family and friends.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 7, 2024
Former Reds defender Phil Thompson joined Liverpool in January 1971, during the season which Yeats left, and later returned to the club as assistant manager.
“So sad to hear of the passing of Big Ron Yeats,” Thompson said on social media.
“One of my heroes as a kid and had the pleasure to become his friend. Doesn’t get much better. RIP Big Man.”
John Aldridge added his own tribute to Yeats, who was capped twice by Scotland.
“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,” former Reds forward Aldridge said.
“What a man. I’m honoured to have met him on many occasions.”
“All our thoughts from the ex-players are with his family. Good night, God bless Ron RIP.”
During his time with Tranmere, Yeats guided Rovers to a memorable win over Arsenal at Highbury in the 1973 League Cup.
Everyone at Tranmere Rovers FC is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ron Yeats.
Ron spent three years with us as player-manager between 1971 and 1974, leading Rovers to our famous win over Arsenal at Highbury in the 1973 League Cup, one of the greatest results in the… pic.twitter.com/7k3Iio44wr
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) September 7, 2024
Tranmere chairman Mark Palios, who began his playing career under Yeats at the Merseyside club, said: “Ron was the guy who gave me my start and signed me as a professional.
“He was also instrumental in the career of so many more – Ronnie Moore, Bobby Tynan, Dickie Johnson, Steve Coppell, just to name a few.
“He was a motivational manager and still a tremendous player, as he showed at Highbury in 1973.
“A true colossus, as Bill Shankly called him. One of the good guys in football. He’ll be sorely missed, and my thoughts are with his family.”
