Gary Ablett
Gary Ablett, the only player to win the FA Cup with Liverpool and Everton, has died at the age of 46 following a battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The defender played more than 100 games for both Merseyside clubs and Birmingham. He also managed Stockport.
"Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed," the League Managers' Association said.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with Gary's wife Jacqueline and children."
Having joined Liverpool as an apprentice in 1982, Ablett made his debut for the Reds in December 1986.
Under manager Kenny Dalglish, he helped a dominant side win the League title in 1988 and 1990 and the FA Cup in 1989.
He was sold to arch-rivals Everton for £750,000 in January 1992 and went on to lift the FA Cup with them in 1995.
Ex-Liverpool striker Ian Rush paid tribute to his former team-mate.
"Gary was a really versatile player, somebody who would play anywhere the manager asked him," Rush told BBC Sport.
"The fact he played for both Liverpool and Everton says something about how good he was as a player.
"He summed up what Liverpool people are all about. He gave 100% to the team and my favourite memory of him was after the 1989 FA Cup final - he was so proud to win something for the team.
"Off the pitch, he was the perfect gentleman. He had a lovely family, which he brought up really well, and he was such a respectable person. If he could help you with anything, he would."
After a loan spell at Sheffield United, he joined Birmingham in 1996 and went on to make 104 appearances there.
After short spells at Wycombe and Blackpool, Ablett finished his playing career at Long Island Rough Riders in the American A-League in 2001.
Ablett made 147 appearances for Liverpool and 156 for Everton In 2002, he moved into coaching, working with Everton's youth academy until 2006 when he took over as Liverpool reserve team coach.
He became Stockport manager in July 2009 and steered the club through a difficult season in which they were in administration and were relegated to League Two.
He left in June 2010 when the 2015 Group took ownership of the club.
Ablett had been fighting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, for 16 months.
He died peacefully on Sunday, the LMA said in a statement.
Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans said: "It's a big shock. Obviously we know Gary's been ill for a while. It's a really sad day.
Recalling Ablett as a player, Evans added: "He was good at everything he did as a player.
"He went into coaching and stamped his personality onto that and was doing a very good job, certainly at youth level.
"I remember he had bit of a difficult first spell at Stockport, but overall he's had a great career in football, he's a big loss to the sport.
"He made a big contribution to the game."
Playing Career -
•Liverpool (1983-92) 147 appearances, 1 goal
•Derby (1985 loan) 8 appearances
•Hull (1986-7 loan) 5 appearances
•Everton (1992-96) 156 appearances, 6 goals
•Sheff Utd (1996 loan) 12 appearances
•Birmingham (1996-99) 124 appearances, 2 goals
•Wycombe (1999 loan) 4 appearances
•Blackpool (2000) 12 appearances, 1 goal
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Mo
