Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen has led the tributes to a 'great' team-mate, whose death has left him and several other members of the 1980s squad 'distraught'.
'He was a lovely guy and he was quite unassuming and everyone loved him,' said the ex-Scotland international. 'It is such a shock even though we knew he was ill. I texted him on December 7 to go and see him and have a cup of tea and he texted back to say he had a doctor's appointment but wished me a merry Christmas and said he would see me in the new year.
'Then we get the news this morning and we are absolutely stunned and cannot believe this has happened.
'He came into the dressing room when Liverpool had one of the great teams and he was right in there because he was a top-class player as well,' he told Radio 5 Live.
'He was a dedicated, consummate professional but he was right at the top of the tree.'
David Fairclough, who played for Liverpool between 1974 and 1983, said: 'He was a lovely lad, he always conducted himself in the right way. He was great with people, always personable. What always came through with Gary was his attitude was just always very, very right.'
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who became Stockport manager in 2011 a year after Ablett left the post, said on Sky Sports News: 'It's devastating news. He's a very highly regarded and respected man on Merseyside and a true legend.'
Paul Walsh, who played alongside Ablett at Liverpool in the 1980s, described the news of Ablett's death as 'absolutely tragic'.
He said: ''I'm absolutely stunned at the news, I knew he wasn't well, but 46 years of age is absolutely tragic.'
'He was was a hell of a nice person. He was a top lad. Just wanted to get in there and do well, didn't do anything fancy but a great pro who trained hard with a great attitude to everything he did.
'There was also a steely determination about Gary. You don't get in the Liverpool team and come through the ranks at Liverpool and play 100 times for them if you haven't got that little bit of steel.'
Michael Owen said on his Twitter account: 'So sad to hear the news that Gary Ablett has passed away today aged 46. He played for some great clubs and had a career to be proud of. RIP.'
Robbie Fowler tweeted: 'Really sad news regarding Gary Ablett,Deepest sympathy to all his family,was an absolute gentleman and will be missed by many.Rest in peace pal.'
ABLETT'S CAREER
Liverpool (1983-92) 147 appearances, 1 goal
Honours: First Division title 1987-88, 1989-90
FA Cup winner 1989
FA Charity Shield winner 1988, 1989, 1990 (shared)
Derby (1985 loan) 8 appearances
Hull (1986-7 loan) 5 appearances
Everton (1992-96) 156 appearances, 6 goals
Honours: FA Cup winner 1995
Charity Shield winner 1995
Sheff Utd (1996 loan) 12 appearances
Birmingham (1996-99) 124 appearances, 2 goals
Wycombe (1999 loan) 4 appearances
Blackpool (2000) 12 appearances, 1 goal
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081249/Gary-Ablett-dies-Liverpool-Everton-footballer-dead-losing-cancer-battle.html#ixzz1iS8JPihr
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081249/Gary-Ablett-dies-Liverpool-Everton-footballer-dead-losing-cancer-battle.html#ixzz1iS7s4Lku
No comments:
Post a Comment