Former Liverpool captain Ron Yeats has died aged 86 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Liverpool confirmed the death of their first FA Cup-winning captain and are lowering flags at their training ground to half mast.
Yeats played in 454 games for Liverpool and 400 of those came as captain, a feat only bettered by Steven Gerrard. The two-cap Scotland international was part of the team which won the Second Division under Bill Shankly in 1962.
At Liverpool, Yeats went on to win the FA Cup, two top-flight titles and the Charity Shield three times. He was a member of a squad that established the Reds as one of England’s most successful clubs.
"Liverpool FC is mourning the passing of legendary former captain Ron Yeats," read a club statement. "In the words of Bill Shankly, a 'colossus' in club history.
"The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Ron's wife, Ann, all of his family and his friends at this incredibly sad time."
Yeats was made captain just months after his arrival from Dundee United in 1961. Shankly famously quipped upon the defender's arrival: "Take a walk around my centre-half, gentlemen, he's a colossus."
When Yeats lifted the FA Cup, it is reported that he told Queen Elizabeth II: "I'm absolutely knackered!"
Yeats left Liverpool in 1971 and represented the likes of Tranmere Rovers, Stalybridge Celtic, Los Angeles Skyhawks, Barrow, Santa Barbara Condors and Formby before retiring in 1978. His three years at Tranmere were as player-manager.
After two decades as a scout for Liverpool, in which he is reported to have identified Sami Hyypia among other signings, he stepped away from football in 2006. In January, it was confirmed that Yeats had been living with Alzheimer’s.
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge wrote: “Woke up today to the sad news of one of Liverpool football clubs 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 I’ve 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.”
Another ex-Liverpool captain, Phil Thompson, added: “So sad to hear of the passing of Big Ron Yeats one of my hero’s [sic] as a kid and had the pleasure to become his friend,doesn’t get much better RIP Big Man.”
