ppeditor Goodbye, but never forgotten…
Tributes from the world of football came thick and fast after Ian St John died in March this year, after a long illness. Nicknamed ‘Saint’, the Motherwell-born legend scored 118 goals in 425 appearances for Liverpool FC and was capped 21 times for Scotland.
He was credited with turning Liverpool’s fortunes around following his signing in 1961 and scored a memorable hat-trick against Everton on his debut. After restoring their path to top-flight football, he is best remembered by many for a late header that secured victory in the 1965 FA Cup final against rivals Leeds – described as the greatest moment of manager Bill Shankly’s era.
Ian remained a key member of Shankly’s squad before his departure in 1971, and following a short spell at Coventry and Tranmere, he briefly turned to management. When his football career ended, he found new fame on TV, teaming up with Jimmy Greaves for the Saturday lunchtime show Saint and Greavsie, which was adored by fans for its quirky punditry.
Among those paying their respects after his death aged 82 was LFC centre-back Andy Robertson, who said: ‘A man of warmth, humour, knowledge, wisdom and joy. Scotland and Liverpool have lost a true giant.’ We couldn’t agree more.
‘His best remembered by many for a late header which secured victory in the 1965 FA Cup final against rivals Leeds’
Photos | Alamy
