KOP HERO, TOP PUNDIT
Ian St John dead aged 82 – Liverpool legend and Saint & Greavsie star dies
LIVERPOOL legend Ian St John has died aged 82.
The TV pundit and football legend passed away on Monday evening after an illness, surrounded by his family.
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Tributes have now been paid to the Scottish former footballer, who played as a forward throughout the 1960s before going on to star with Jimmy Greaves in the show Saint & Greavsie.
In a statement, his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that after a long illness we have lost a husband, father and grandfather.
“He passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside.
“We would like to thank all the staff at Arrowe Park Hospital for their hard work and dedication during these very difficult times."
A spokesperson for Greaves wrote: “We are very sad to hear the Saint has passed away.
"Ian St John and I had great fun working on the Saint and Greavsie.
"He was a lovely man and will be sadly missed by many many people.
"We must also remember he was a great footballer for Bill Shankly's Liverpool and beyond. His legacy will live on forever.”
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Under the management of Shankly, St John was the scorer of one of the most iconic goals in Liverpool’s history when he netted in extra time to secure our first ever FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Leeds United in 1965.
The former forward made 425 appearances for the club over the course of a hugely successful decade between 1961 and 1971, scoring 118 goals.
Liverpool said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of a true Anfield legend, Ian St John.
"The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ian's family and friends at this sad and difficult time. Rest in peace, Ian St John 1938-2021."
Another Kop idol, Jamie Carragher, tweeted his heartbreak at the news.
Carra wrote: "RIP Ian St John - another Liverpool Legend sadly passes away.
"One of the players along with Bill Shankly who made this club what it is today.
"I’ll remember him most on the best football show on tv, The Saint & Greavsie. X"
Current Reds star - and Scotland captain - Andrew Robertson, added: "A man of warmth, humour, knowledge, wisdom and joy.
"Scotland and Liverpool has lost a true giant. My love goes to his family. Rest in peace Ian St John."
Roberston's team-mate James Milner wrote: "RIP Ian St John - what a player, what a man."
Ex-Liverpool striker turned pundit Neil Mellor tweeted: "Extremely sad news to hear of the passing of Ian St John. Will be remembered as one of the greats. RIP."
Even Liverpool's local rivals, Everton, tweeted their condolences, writing: "A real loss to the game and one felt heavily in our city.
"A rival for many years but a popular figure on and off the pitch. Our thoughts are with Ian St John's loved ones and everyone at @LFC at this sad time. RIP."
Iconic strikers Ian Rush, John Aldridge and Michael Owen also paid their respects on Twitter.
Rush tweeted: "RIP Ian St John sleep well legend!! Thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time."
Aldridge wrote: "So sad to hear the news of the great (Saint)Ian St John passing away.
"What an inspiration watching from the terraces at Anfield he was also a cracking bloke.Our Thoughts are with his family. RIP St.YNWA."
And Owen added: "Very sad to hear of the passing of a true Liverpool FC great. Rest in peace, Ian St John -1938-2021."
Ex-England star turned Match of the Day host Gary Lineker added: "Saddened to hear that Ian St John has passed away. A brilliant footballer and superb television presenter.
"The rapport between him and Greavsie was a delight."
St John started his career with boyhood club Motherwell in Scotland and shot to notoriety as he bagged 105 goals in 144 appearances for the club.
In 1961, he joined Liverpool for a club record transfer fee of £37,500 with the club still in the Second Division.
He became a focal point of the iconic side which won promotion back to the top flight before winning two league titles in 194 and 1966, as well as the FA Cup in 1965.
St John scored 118 goals in 424 games before leaving the club in 1971 and going on to play for Coventry City and Tranmere Rovers.
The Sun Says
IAN St John became a legend twice over.
He was a lynchpin of Liverpool’s title-winning 1960s side. But it was telly that later made him a household name.
ITV’s brilliant Saint And Greavsie was a must-see in the pre-Premier League era.
The often hilarious chemistry between Ian and ex-England ace Jimmy Greaves pioneered the format we now take for granted: The banter-filled footie chat show starring ex-players.
The pals couldn’t have known it back then — but they were paving the way for Lineker, Shearer, Wright, Ferdinand, Neville, Carragher and all the rest.
RIP Ian. Heaven has another Saint.
After hanging up his boots in 1973, St John went into management with Motherwell and Portsmouth before embarking on a career as a TV pundit.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The beloved Scot became a fixture on the nation's TV screens and struck up a successful partnership with Ex-Spurs striker Jimmy Greaves on their show, Saint and Greavsie.
The programme ran from 1985 to 1992 and was also famously parodied by Baddiel and Skinner on the comedy duo's show Fantasy Football League.
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Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves re-live football moments in It's a Funny Old Game with Saint and Greavsie