Ron Yeats, a legendary captain of Liverpool, has died aged 86.
The former central defender made 454 appearances for the club — including more than 400 as skipper — and was the first to lift the FA Cup in the club’s history.
He also won the Second Division title in 1962 under Bill Shankly with the manager describing him as “a colossus”.
He was also a key part of the sides that won the First Division in 1964 and 1966.
It was announced in January that Yeats was living with Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away on Friday night, the club said.
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
Asked for his greatest Liverpool achievements, Yeats once said: “There have been two of them. Being the captain that took the club out of the Second Division after eight years was a very, very proud moment.
“We won the league by eight or nine points that season and to follow that by being the first captain of Liverpool to lift the FA Cup is something I am very proud of.
“I do not go round with the medals on my chest, it is just there for me to say.”
Yeats also played for Dundee United, Tranmere Rovers, Stalybridge Celtic and Barrow as well as the Los Angeles Skyhawks and Santa Barbara Condors in the United States.
He would later return to Liverpool as chief scout, a position he held for 20 years before retiring in 2006 with future captain Sami Hyypia one of those he helped identify for the club.
(Larry Ellis/Express/Getty Images)
