Topic: Sir Roger Hunt

[johnj147]

sadly never seen him play .. but he must have been some player. RIP  sir roger ..

[royhendo]

RIP Sir Roger.

[Brain Potter]

Just trying to process this. It feels like a part of me has gone. My mind is triggered back to Sam our Pru man excitedly relaying to my dad about this young forward called Hunt who was so good he was bound to make the first team any time soon. Must have been around 1958. My young ears pricked up as his and my dad’s excitement transmitted itself to me. Possibly my earliest Liverpool memory. I was around 7 years old. Three years later I was in the Boys Pen watching Sir Roger Hunt power us to promotion with an incredible 41 goals in one season. And Sir Roger was our hero along with our other greats of course.

RIP our hero. There will never be another like you for me.

What a lovely tribute

[rocco]

RIP Sir Rodger
YNWA

[jillcwhomever]

What sad news to come home to, my grandad adored him and was full of stories. His stats are incredible in a time when the defenders were such hard men. RIP Sir Roger. Condolences to his family. 

[Sangria]

Just trying to process this. It feels like a part of me has gone. My mind is triggered back to Sam our Pru man excitedly relaying to my dad about this young forward called Hunt who was so good he was bound to make the first team any time soon. Must have been around 1958. My young ears pricked up as his and my dad’s excitement transmitted itself to me. Possibly my earliest Liverpool memory. I was around 7 years old. Three years later I was in the Boys Pen watching Sir Roger Hunt power us to promotion with an incredible 41 goals in one season. And Sir Roger was our hero along with our other greats of course.

RIP our hero. There will never be another like you for me.

Watching Hunt and St John, listening to Shankly. You're a lucky bastard to have these memories.

[Oldmanmick]

When were kids growing up in the 60's we were brought up just off Breck Road about half a mile from Anfield. Whenever Liverpool played at home a load of us used to play footie, which started around the same time (3pm) as the reds kick-off. We did this so we could listen out for any big roars coming from the ground, & when this did happen we'd all go crazy knowing that the lads had scored. There were always big arguments before we started as everyone wanted to be Roger Hunt, sometimes there were 5 'Roger's' on the pitch as some wouldn't give in 

My uncle John absolutely adored Roger Hunt, so much so that he named his son - my cousin - Roger.

'Sir Roger' made a lot of people very happy. This old man is just one of them.

[rossipersempre]

Just trying to process this. It feels like a part of me has gone. My mind is triggered back to Sam our Pru man excitedly relaying to my dad about this young forward called Hunt who was so good he was bound to make the first team any time soon. Must have been around 1958. My young ears pricked up as his and my dad’s excitement transmitted itself to me. Possibly my earliest Liverpool memory. I was around 7 years old. Three years later I was in the Boys Pen watching Sir Roger Hunt power us to promotion with an incredible 41 goals in one season. And Sir Roger was our hero along with our other greats of course.

RIP our hero. There will never be another like you for me.

Was - by some distance - my dad’s favourite Liverpool player of all. Which probably explains the irrational (player I never saw and person I didn’t know) emotional connection I felt today hearing such sad news.

Remember him explaining to me that Hunt and St John were essentially the Rush and Dalglish of their day and Sir Roger (mods, you should sort the thread title out) was an underrated (not by LFC fans) cornerstone of the ‘66 WC side.

[Timbo's Goals]

Watching Hunt and St John, listening to Shankly. You're a lucky bastard to have these memories.

I don’t think any of us who lived through those times ever take for granted how privileged we were to have been a part of it. What is virtually impossible is conveying fully just how unique an era it was. At the time you didn’t know any different. You simply lived it. It’s only when you reflect back and you think of all those great men like Shanks, Sir Roger himself and all the others plus the organic emergence of the Spion Kop and the terrace culture which was ultimately to be mimicked nationwide and later worldwide. Meanwhile and feeding into the whole melting pot were The Beatles and Merseybeat spreading the name of the city and its uniqueness worldwide.

On this sad day it brings back so vividly all those memories of those vibrant times. That season when Sir Roger’sgoals guaranteed us promotion still remains as probably the most excited I can recall. Mind you I was only just turned 11 when it happened and just totting up Sir Roger would have been 24 with those wonderful mid ‘60’s glory days still ahead of him.

[1892tillforever]

RIP to one of our greatest ever  I read that he didn't make his debut for about 14 months after he signed! He made up for lost time, that's for sure! Will we ever get anyone to come close to himself and Rushie in terms of goalscoring?

[Yorkykopite]

Had an email exchange with a very good pal of mine who I used occasionally to go to the match with in 80s. (Dr Abismo on here, though not for a while). He remembers watching Hunt from the very start. He said this to me:

Outstanding goalscorer and creator, but also very disciplined and physically fit for his era – he could run all day. He sacrificed his goalscoring for the sake of Ramsey’s England side, for whom he did loads of crucial, intelligent spadework. Ramsey loved players like that, who could use and create space and work for others. I remember Bobby Charlton saying, when pointing out that it was Hurst (not Hunt) who replaced the glorious Jimmy Greaves, that Hunt was one of the first names on the teamsheet. The choice was between Greaves and Hurst, for who would play with Hunt.
 
It was Roger’s quiet, unassuming manner, compared to the more flamboyant, aggressive and emotional St John, that made him more appreciated than loved at Anfield. He was the guy that every forward wanted to play with.

[TepidT2O]

I mean it’s a huge loss….

I’m even named after him…

A true legend

[Samie]

Mate, you're a teacher the kids have to call you "Sir".

[duvva 💅]

Some fantastic anecdotes/tributes from Timbo, Yorky and others above. Sounds like he was just as special a person as a player and that’s why many of that era it seems hold him up as one of the best or their personal favourite.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Roger Hunt he was a bit of a really nice bloke actually. A lot of my mates bumped into him over the years and by all accounts, he was a wonderful fella

RIP

[howes hound]

Over time, memories get blurred, but one is indelibly imprinted on my mind.
1968 5th round FA Cup replay against Spurs, Tuesday night game. The pre-match queue for tickets still had about half a mile in front of me when they sold out. I was in digs on Anfield Road at the time. Heard the crowds going by, the pre-match chanting, could see the floodlights from my bedroom. Then the roaring of the  crowd as the game started. Five minutes in, I couldn’t stand it any more and went out looking for scalpers. I was a broke student, didn’t have much hope, but right outside the ground this guy sold me a Paddock ticket at face value - he had one left and was dying to get in himself. I tore through the turnstiles and up the Paddock steps, just got to the top when Callaghan took a corner to my left and the ball looped out to Hunt on the edge of the box. He volleyed it at waist height into the roof of the net. Right then I thought, this may be the best moment of my life. Not far wrong actually.
Thanks, Sir Roger, for that and hundreds more wonderful moments. RIP.

[the 92A]

I don’t think any of us who lived through those times ever take for granted how privileged we were to have been a part of it. What is virtually impossible is conveying fully just how unique an era it was. At the time you didn’t know any different. You simply lived it. It’s only when you reflect back and you think of all those great men like Shanks, Sir Roger himself and all the others plus the organic emergence of the Spion Kop and the terrace culture which was ultimately to be mimicked nationwide and later worldwide. Meanwhile and feeding into the whole melting pot were The Beatles and Merseybeat spreading the name of the city and its uniqueness worldwide.

On this sad day it brings back so vividly all those memories of those vibrant times. That season when Sir Roger’sgoals guaranteed us promotion still remains as probably the most excited I can recall. Mind you I was only just turned 11 when it happened and just totting up Sir Roger would have been 24 with those wonderful mid ‘60’s glory days still ahead of him.

I'm younger than yourself and defer to you when it comes to the sixties team as I only caught the last few years as they were on the decline, I remember Rodger Hunt as a young child standing on a milk crate in the Anfield Road with my dad. Shanks hadn't faced the reality of a rebuild that was still a few seasons away but when I heard the news this morning felt a little bit of my childhood had disappeared. Hard to imagine how much a hero he was to us in the playground, I was convinced he was the best striker in the world because I'd heard the stories off my Dad, the rest of the country still thought Greaves should have been Englands striker when they won the World Cup, my Dad explained so much of Hunts work was off the ball, I parroted it with complete certainty because Hunt was our saviour, he'd been responsible for us winning the league twice and more importantly the FA Cup, something Evertonians still pulled us up on in the playground, you've only won it once, it's hard to realise that it was only a few years after Everton had been the established club, the club Liverpool fans went to watch their games to see the top clubs play, we'd only been up from the second division around six years years since Shanks brought us up and this team had already won so much. They would batter the England World Cup team my Dad told me so they were the best team in the world in my eyes and  I was convinced it was only a matter of a few tweaks  and I"d see a league win, Shanks brought in Tony Hately, I loved Hately, my Dad told me he wasn't fit to lace Sir Rodgers boots. Sir Rodger and St John were who everyone wanted to be every time we kicked a ball in the street, they were the ones who had made us dream, they'd been part of a team that had won everything in such a small time. It seems like yesterday but it's the demise of those who you grew up worshipping that brings home how long ago it was. RIP Sir Rodger, I never believed in honours but you wore your knighthood well because it came from the Kop not the establishment, my little world feels diminished by your death

[Red_Mist]

Over time, memories get blurred, but one is indelibly imprinted on my mind.
1968 5th round FA Cup replay against Spurs, Tuesday night game. The pre-match queue for tickets still had about half a mile in front of me when they sold out. I was in digs on Anfield Road at the time. Heard the crowds going by, the pre-match chanting, could see the floodlights from my bedroom. Then the roaring of the  crowd as the game started. Five minutes in, I couldn’t stand it any more and went out looking for scalpers. I was a broke student, didn’t have much hope, but right outside the ground this guy sold me a Paddock ticket at face value - he had one left and was dying to get in himself. I tore through the turnstiles and up the Paddock steps, just got to the top when Callaghan took a corner to my left and the ball looped out to Hunt on the edge of the box. He volleyed it at waist height into the roof of the net. Right then I thought, this may be the best moment of my life. Not far wrong actually.
Thanks, Sir Roger, for that and hundreds more wonderful moments. RIP.

Brilliant that Howes

[Crosby Nick]

Mate, you're a teacher the kids have to call you "Sir".

[MrEazi1]

Some beautiful tributes here. I never saw Sir Roger play but there isn't a week that goes by without trawling through the archives. That era of our club never ceases to fascinate me.

It's the efforts of these men, Shanks (whose 40th death anniversary is tomorrow) and everybody who worked tirelessly behind the scenes that the modern club is built on.

It's been a harrowing year as far as the deaths of club legends are concerned. I hate to sound morbid but there are now only four living members of that 1965 FA Cup Final starting eleven. Let's cherish these legends, send them our love and let them know how much they mean to us before its too late.

RIP Sir Roger. I hope you and the Saint will be slotting a few past the angels just like old times.

[oldfordie]

RIP Roger.
Watched him and all the greats many times from the Boys pen to the Kop.
Always shouting his name when playing footie in the street as a kid.
Roger Hunt shoots. goal.

[PIPA23]

Never seen him play, but he had a fantastic career and will forever be a legend.. rest in peace Sir Roger.

[Cu Chulainn]

Never seen him play, but read lots about him. What a player; doubt his league goals record will ever be beaten. Rest in peace, legend.

[driftinwest]

Another legend from my youth gone, my first game boxing day 1966 after beating Chelsea 2-1 on Christmas eve we repeated the score at Anfield boxing day with Sir Roger scoring the first goal I saw live from the boys pen, the start of so many memories
R.I.P. SIR ROGER

[Jools]

In the 60s Manchester United had Bobby Charlton.
Tottenham Hotspur had Jimmy Greaves.
Yet we could still hold our heads high because we had Roger Hunt!

RIP Sir.

[Legoland]

RIP Sir Roger

[Red_Rich]

RIP Sir Roger.

Saint and him gone within a year.  Very sad.

[scatman]

lovely tributes here in the thread, long before my time, have seen videos and seen the great man speak. Lovely tribute video by the club too, RIP Sir Roger.

[bahrainexpat]

RIP Sir Roger

Thank you for the wonderful memories.

[Billy Elliot]

The very first match I went to was Steve Heighway's testimonial but I was really, really young (don't really class it as my first match), and I hardly remember anything. I remember a Radio City vs Radio Merseyside match at half time.

But I remember the Kop singing Ee Eye Adio Sir Roger Hunt.

Was wondering if he played in that half time match?

Just watching some of his goals now.

[Hazell]

Another sad day for us reds.

Sir Roger was an amazing goalscorer at a time when forwards got kicked from pillar to post.

Never complained just carried on sticking the ball in the back of the net.

I was lucky enough to be at the game at Goodison when him and Ray Wilson paraded the World cup around the pitch.

An absolute gentleman and goalscorer supreme.

Rest easy Sir Roger.

Everton tweeted this today, it's such a great picture, must have been great to be there.


Everton
@Everton
Our thoughts are with Roger Hunt's loved ones and everyone at
@LFC
 at this sad time. RIP.

[coct3au]

Great story from "nickmannion" at https://discussion.theguardian.com/comment-permalink/152170656

A long story as short as possible.

1965 and my gran insists I say hello to the famous (as fame went in '65) footballer who was courting the girl next door but one. An awkward 6 yr old shook his hand and he gave me an autograph and made me laugh and a lifelong devotion to a player/club was born.

My first time seeing him play was 67/8 when my uncle took me to watch Liverpool v Blackpool. We were in the paddock and he sat me on the wall as the players warmed up. A bullet headed Scot prowling the sidelines said 'ye alright son?' 'I've come to see Roger play' 'Aye there's 11 guys in tangerine come to do that too'

He scored twice.

1970 am long term seriously ill in hospital, life threatening at first. Via my gran word got to Roger that this little lad who worshipped him was in dire straits. He came to visit me unnanounced. Sat for 30 mins and brought in and gave me to hold an England cap, one of his league medals, his FA Cup medal and I think a Euro Comp. losers medal.

Then out of his jacket pocket in a velvet box in my hands to open...yes...his World Cup winners medal. Aside: In the private ward was a parent of someone as world famous as possible in 1970. A nurse told visiting son about my plight and he came to the childrens ward to chat for 10 mins and I bored George Harrison all about Roger Hunt!

Fast forward to 1982. Me working in a pub, busy tea time shift full of a gang of lads talking bollox about the coming world cup in Spain...Keegan this/Robson that/Mariner the other...

A lorry cab had pulled in to the car park and the driver came in and ordered his bar meal and half and was sat no more than 5 yards from the 'knowledgeable' footie crew. Not one recognised they had a World Cup winner in the same room.

I went over to collect his plate and glass with a 'you wont remember me but...' to thank him. He asked how I was and how my gran was and remembered his visit.

For everything you ever did on the field and for the above showing what an exemplary and humble human being you were I want to express my heartfelt thanks and it is a while since I have shed a tear but today is the day I did again.

[duvva 💅]

Great story from "nickmannion" at https://discussion.theguardian.com/comment-permalink/152170656

A long story as short as possible.

1965 and my gran insists I say hello to the famous (as fame went in '65) footballer who was courting the girl next door but one. An awkward 6 yr old shook his hand and he gave me an autograph and made me laugh and a lifelong devotion to a player/club was born.

My first time seeing him play was 67/8 when my uncle took me to watch Liverpool v Blackpool. We were in the paddock and he sat me on the wall as the players warmed up. A bullet headed Scot prowling the sidelines said 'ye alright son?' 'I've come to see Roger play' 'Aye there's 11 guys in tangerine come to do that too'

He scored twice.

1970 am long term seriously ill in hospital, life threatening at first. Via my gran word got to Roger that this little lad who worshipped him was in dire straits. He came to visit me unnanounced. Sat for 30 mins and brought in and gave me to hold an England cap, one of his league medals, his FA Cup medal and I think a Euro Comp. losers medal.

Then out of his jacket pocket in a velvet box in my hands to open...yes...his World Cup winners medal. Aside: In the private ward was a parent of someone as world famous as possible in 1970. A nurse told visiting son about my plight and he came to the childrens ward to chat for 10 mins and I bored George Harrison all about Roger Hunt!

Fast forward to 1982. Me working in a pub, busy tea time shift full of a gang of lads talking bollox about the coming world cup in Spain...Keegan this/Robson that/Mariner the other...

A lorry cab had pulled in to the car park and the driver came in and ordered his bar meal and half and was sat no more than 5 yards from the 'knowledgeable' footie crew. Not one recognised they had a World Cup winner in the same room.

I went over to collect his plate and glass with a 'you wont remember me but...' to thank him. He asked how I was and how my gran was and remembered his visit.

For everything you ever did on the field and for the above showing what an exemplary and humble human being you were I want to express my heartfelt thanks and it is a while since I have shed a tear but today is the day I did again.

That’s just brilliant. Thanks for sharing the article

[Filler.]

What a thread. Sad day. RIP Sir Roger.

[Black Bull Nova]

Great story from "nickmannion" at https://discussion.theguardian.com/comment-permalink/152170656

A long story as short as possible.

1965 and my gran insists I say hello to the famous (as fame went in '65) footballer who was courting the girl next door but one. An awkward 6 yr old shook his hand and he gave me an autograph and made me laugh and a lifelong devotion to a player/club was born.

My first time seeing him play was 67/8 when my uncle took me to watch Liverpool v Blackpool. We were in the paddock and he sat me on the wall as the players warmed up. A bullet headed Scot prowling the sidelines said 'ye alright son?' 'I've come to see Roger play' 'Aye there's 11 guys in tangerine come to do that too'

He scored twice.

1970 am long term seriously ill in hospital, life threatening at first. Via my gran word got to Roger that this little lad who worshipped him was in dire straits. He came to visit me unnanounced. Sat for 30 mins and brought in and gave me to hold an England cap, one of his league medals, his FA Cup medal and I think a Euro Comp. losers medal.

Then out of his jacket pocket in a velvet box in my hands to open...yes...his World Cup winners medal. Aside: In the private ward was a parent of someone as world famous as possible in 1970. A nurse told visiting son about my plight and he came to the childrens ward to chat for 10 mins and I bored George Harrison all about Roger Hunt!

Fast forward to 1982. Me working in a pub, busy tea time shift full of a gang of lads talking bollox about the coming world cup in Spain...Keegan this/Robson that/Mariner the other...

A lorry cab had pulled in to the car park and the driver came in and ordered his bar meal and half and was sat no more than 5 yards from the 'knowledgeable' footie crew. Not one recognised they had a World Cup winner in the same room.

I went over to collect his plate and glass with a 'you wont remember me but...' to thank him. He asked how I was and how my gran was and remembered his visit.

For everything you ever did on the field and for the above showing what an exemplary and humble human being you were I want to express my heartfelt thanks and it is a while since I have shed a tear but today is the day I did again.

Wonderful, wonderful story, thank you

Just watched his 3 world cup goals in 66, how good to see him and Greaves play together and ruffle Jimmy's hair when he scored.

I did manage to see him play, once, before he left (with me sitting behind Billy Liddell), in that Shankly team that was taken apart. The players I respected most, Thompson, Hunt, Yeats and Callaghan, all proper gentlemen. When you look at the Ronaldo's of today, there is no comparison in terms of the class these guys had, that includes the Everton players as well.

We are probably a better team to watch these days but I miss those days when Shankly was around and you never knew what would happen next. It's all turning into history, and one which fewer and fewer remember but rest assured those who don't remember it, the sky sparkled (despite the smoke) and anfield buzzed in a way that you cannot describe. Hunt was one that carried us from obscurity to the top before he passed the baton on to others. Thank you Roger, you were loved and appreciated and you'll be missed.

[Red Raw]

Great story from "nickmannion" at https://discussion.theguardian.com/comment-permalink/152170656

A long story as short as possible.
...

Been so busy today this is the first news I have seen, but good grief what a story this is.

Proper loss.
RIP Sir Roger.

[kesey]

[kesey]

These are men , Bill Shanklys Best...

[DangerScouse]

RIP Roger.

[kesey]

Inter Milan 1965 .