1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Off Topic R.I.P. Ray Clemence

Discussion in 'Liverpool' started by Garlic Klopp, Nov 15, 2020.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Garlic Klopp

    Garlic Klopp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    16,386
    Likes Received:
    11,616
    The first LFC keeper I saw from when we signed him through to him leaving. Great keeper with an equally good defence in front of him
     
    #1
    Garlic Klopp, Nov 15, 2020
    redcgull, wishiwasinliverpool, Bumps and 3 others like this.
  2. LuisDiazgamechanger

    LuisDiazgamechanger Dribbles

    Joined:
    May 31, 2011
    Messages:
    36,845
    Likes Received:
    6,725
    <peacedove>RIP
    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image


    Liverpool FC deeply saddened by Ray Clemence passing
    LFC

    Liverpool Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Reds legend Ray Clemence, aged 72.

    The former goalkeeper, rated by many as the greatest ever to represent Liverpool between the posts, won practically everything – often multiple times – across his 13 years and 665 appearances in the first team.

    Signed by Bill Shankly, Clemence was a formidable, usually unbeatable last line of defence as the Reds dominated the 1970s and ultimately became kings of Europe under Bob Paisley.

    His haul of trophies tells you everything about the successful era he hugely contributed to. Three European Cups, five league titles, two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, an FA Cup and a League Cup.

    Plucked from Scunthorpe United for £18,000 during the summer of 1967, Ray’s signing will forever be one of the shrewdest transfer bargains in Liverpool history.

    After serving his Anfield apprenticeship in the Central League, and making his senior debut in September 1968, he replaced Tommy Lawrence in goal on a permanent basis during the 1969-70 campaign.

    In the 11 seasons that followed, he missed just six league matches.

    Unflappable and reassuring in the net, Clemence’s safe hands inspired confidence in those around him and the stopper, sporting a vivid green jersey, became an institution on Merseyside – and quickly amassed the medals to match his talent.



    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image

    please log in to view this image












    Though life as Liverpool’s goalkeeper in his era could be a lonely existence as his outfield colleagues ruthlessly set about passing opponents into submission, the Englishman’s concentration would never waver, his eye never stray from the ball.

    And on those sparse occasions when the Reds backline was breached, Clemence was always there with a crucial save to underline his priceless value to the team.

    Equally important components of his game were his sense of anticipation, positional awareness and lightning-quick reactions – evidenced in each of the victorious UEFA Cup campaigns of 1972-73 and 1975-76 as full-length diving saves denied penalties from Borussia Monchengladbach (in the first leg of the final) and Dynamo Dresden (quarter-final) respectively.

    Or recall his pivotal stop from Uli Stielike in Rome in 1977, bravely rushing from his line to block, which – with Liverpool locked at 1-1 against Gladbach – proved a turning point on the road to the club’s maiden European Cup.

    Clemence errors were rarer than a Reds defeat, clean sheets became commonplace and defensive records were routinely shattered.

    Indeed, not content with becoming back-to-back European champions in 1978, he and his defence reached unprecedented heights domestically the next season.

    Liverpool conceded a club-record low of 16 goals in 42 league matches to wrap up a third championship triumph in four seasons. The ‘keeper played every game.

    Adored by the Kop, supporters who had been privileged to witness his genius at close quarters were equally stunned and disappointed when Ray announced his decision to depart for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of 1981-82.

    But, fittingly, he bowed out at the very top, registering a 323rd and final clean sheet for the Reds as they beat Real Madrid 1-0 in Paris to lift Old Big Ears for the third time.

    Undoubtedly one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the world at the height of his powers, Clemence will never be forgotten by the Liverpool faithful.

    Only three men have ever played more games for the club; few have lifted more trophies; none can match his total of clean sheets. It’s likely nobody ever will.

    A multitude of superlatives spring to mind when considering his Anfield career but it can be summed up in two simple words: goalkeeping excellence.

    Clemence went on to play hundreds more games for Spurs across a seven-year spell at White Hart Lane and was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport in 1987.

    Having won 61 caps for his country as a player, he later joined the Football Association and England national team set-up as a coach before retiring in 2013.

    The thoughts of everybody at the club are with Ray’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.
     
    #2
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2020
    LuisDiazgamechanger, Nov 15, 2020
    redcgull and wishiwasinliverpool like this.
  3. Zorba

    Zorba Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2017
    Messages:
    2,697
    Likes Received:
    1,840
    Just seen the sad news,he was a bloody ACE goalie.
    R.I.P.
     
    #3
    Zorba, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Bumps like this.
  4. SIR_KENNY_KLOPP_KING

    SIR_KENNY_KLOPP_KING Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2011
    Messages:
    12,848
    Likes Received:
    7,683
    Amazing keeper. RIP <rose>
     
    #4
    SIR_KENNY_KLOPP_KING, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Bumps like this.
  5. Dancingbraveforever

    Dancingbraveforever Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2011
    Messages:
    1,184
    Likes Received:
    566
    The benchmark for Liverpool keepers.
     
    #5
    Dancingbraveforever, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Bumps like this.
  6. Zanjinho

    Zanjinho Boom!
    Forum Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2014
    Messages:
    45,806
    Likes Received:
    28,115
    RIP Ray Clemence <rose>
     
    #6
    Zanjinho, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Bumps like this.
  7. Solid_Air 2

    Solid_Air 2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2015
    Messages:
    28,613
    Likes Received:
    24,818
    True star and still the best GK i've seen play for us . Always came over as a nice bloke as well .
    RIP Ray <rose>
     
    #7
    Solid_Air 2, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Bumps like this.
  8. BlackAndAmberGambler

    BlackAndAmberGambler Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    8,558
    Likes Received:
    8,091
    RIP Ray Clemence.<peacedove>
     
    #8
    BlackAndAmberGambler, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool, Bumps and Solid_Air 2 like this.
  9. Sucky

    Sucky peoples champ & forum saviour

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    95,285
    Likes Received:
    76,814
    Never saw him play but my dad holds him up as the best keeper we've ever had including becker.
    We'll make new legends to keep the old alive
    <rose>
     
    #9
    Sucky, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Bumps like this.
  10. Garlic Klopp

    Garlic Klopp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    16,386
    Likes Received:
    11,616
    LFC have put a great video up on Facebook in tribute, but I can't get it to copy. Perhaps some computer boffin who is 50 years younger than me can copy it across to here.
     
    #10
    Garlic Klopp, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Bumps like this.

  11. Bumps

    Bumps Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2011
    Messages:
    11,990
    Likes Received:
    7,102
    Just before my time but watched so much footage of him - Great Keeper
    Amazing man
    RIP :emoticon-0153-broke<rose>
     
    #11
    Bumps, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool and Solid_Air 2 like this.
  12. Garlic Klopp

    Garlic Klopp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    16,386
    Likes Received:
    11,616
    In the LFC tribute video Clemmo says the team played 21 consecutive games and only let in 4 goals! Is that a record for a team in the old first division and Prem, it may include Europe ,but still an impressive stat
     
    #12
    Garlic Klopp, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool likes this.
  13. wishiwasinliverpool

    wishiwasinliverpool Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2011
    Messages:
    3,756
    Likes Received:
    1,880
    I cried when I heard. He was the King of Keepers! I watched him at Anfield many times. RIP!
     
    #13
    wishiwasinliverpool, Nov 15, 2020
    Zorba, SIR_KENNY_KLOPP_KING, organic red and 2 others like this.
  14. moreinjuredthanowen

    moreinjuredthanowen Mafiosi

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
    Messages:
    116,566
    Likes Received:
    27,780
    Rip. Was itprostate cancer?
     
    #14
    moreinjuredthanowen, Nov 15, 2020
  15. Bigalreigned

    Bigalreigned Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2011
    Messages:
    3,894
    Likes Received:
    3,379
    As an Ipswich Town fan I have fond memories of great clashes between our sides in the 1970s,Ray was always a respected and formidable opponent.RIP.
     
    #15
    Bigalreigned, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool, saintKlopp, Zanjinho and 3 others like this.
  16. Solid_Air 2

    Solid_Air 2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2015
    Messages:
    28,613
    Likes Received:
    24,818
    assume so or at least a consequence from it .
     
    #16
    Solid_Air 2, Nov 15, 2020
  17. organic red

    organic red Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2011
    Messages:
    28,016
    Likes Received:
    10,928
    RIP Ray...<rose>
     
    #17
    organic red, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool likes this.
  18. Zanjinho

    Zanjinho Boom!
    Forum Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2014
    Messages:
    45,806
    Likes Received:
    28,115
     
    #18
    Zanjinho, Nov 15, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool, Solid_Air 2, redcgull and 3 others like this.
  19. saintKlopp

    saintKlopp Old

    Joined:
    May 31, 2011
    Messages:
    38,065
    Likes Received:
    26,018
    Blimey, I'm filling up here. That's taken me back, I was at most of those games.

    RIP Ray, great goalkeeper, nice bloke.
     
    #19
    saintKlopp, Nov 15, 2020
    Solid_Air 2 and Garlic Klopp like this.
  20. Garlic Klopp

    Garlic Klopp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    16,386
    Likes Received:
    11,616
    Great video. I remember being at the St Etienne game, still one of the most up and down games emotionally along with the European Cup win in Istanbul
     
    #20
    Garlic Klopp, Nov 16, 2020
    wishiwasinliverpool likes this.
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page