emlyn hughes last interview
Emlyn Hughes dies aged 57 | The Independent | The Independent [8] However, he left A Question of Sport and the corporation as a whole in 1987 to go to ITV and captain a team on Sporting Triangles. Great man,great character and a great player.Best England Captain after Bobby Moore.R.I.P.Crazy Horse,you'll never walk alone. The 197677 season began with a shock recall to England by Don Revie, who played Hughes in the second qualifier for the 1978 World Cup, under national captain and clubmate Kevin Keegan. Bernie Wheaton, New Jersey, USAI'm 59 years old and can remember when Shanks signed Emlyn from Blackpool as a raw younster who became a great inspirational footballer for Liverpool and England and he captained both. I couldn't believe my luck when, 2 years ago, he played at our local football club with his charity team (David Johnson etc). Scouses from the Bay Area of the USA. Rooney later apologised. Good bye and Rest in Peace. Christina SmithA true gent with a heart of gold. He joined our party and signed autographs for everyone who requested one. Rodney shook his head in disbelief as he was in the penalty area at the time. It is a sad day when he passed away but I will never forget him. She says brain cancer research is underfunded and wants more done to save families from similar heartbreak. Shankly stunningly omitted Smith from his starting lineup by choice, dropping Hughes back into central defence alongside Lloyd. During the 1966/67 season, left-back had become an unexpected problem position, as Gerry Byrne suffered an accidental injury on the opening day of the defence of Liverpools league title at home to Leicester City. Growing up as a teenager in the 70's and watching the Reds gave us all some of the most magical experiences we could ever wish for. "He absolutely adored playing football. Evertonian New York City. Bill CorryAnd so Peace, Great Smiler, Emlyn Who showed, by example, That life could be fun and exciting On forelorn rain-swept Nothern days Who put colour, suprise and confidence Back into our often greyed-out lives To defy the odds and gravity And allow our dreams to unfold As as we never, ever dared hope. After scoring goals in a memorable win over Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park, Hughes was made Liverpool captain after Tommy Smith had a publicised falling-out with Shankly, who nonetheless kept him in the team. My father had cancer and we have been through it all, chemo all the horrible things that it brings. SueAlways gave an autograph and a smile to the waiting fans when he came out of training, fabulous player maybe now having a pint or to with bill, Steve BeechA truely classy guy, and what a footballer. Within days of Hughes arrival at Liverpool, he was unexpectedly thrown straight into first-team action at home to Stoke City. And he always had a smile.. In 1973, Hughes won his first League title with Liverpool and his first European honour with the UEFA Cup, against Borussia Mnchengladbach. I was shocked to see the news about the most loved Liverpool player, who shuns the term "star" He just loved the game, and poured his heart into every match. Emlyn walked Emma down the aisle when she married husband Dave in February 2004 at St Pauls Cathedral (a privilege afforded by Emlyns OBE) before a second operation left him with permanent damage to his left side. i am so sad and wish to pass my thoughts to his family and all football fans,it does'nt matter which team you follow when a great human being is taken from this world so young rip emlyn. What a sad day for Liverpool. From the Kop watching him push the Reds to glory. I moved to Pocklington, near York 7 years ago. In that decade, grieving wife Barbara and her children Emma and Emlyn have never talked about their devastation at losing him at just 57 in November 2004. You've lost a star. There still isnt a day that goes past where I dont think of him, she says. BBC - Liverpool - Sport - Emlyn Hughes dies In an interview in March 2004, Hughes said: 'The doctors have said to me: "Emlyn, go about your life as if nothing's happened". I now live abroad, but I recall the days at Anfield when I and friends enthused at Emlyn's tenacity and spirit. Martin FordeI started supporting LFC in 1974 as a 7 year old dubliner, and Emlyn Hughes'passion,desire to win,and trademark smile as he lifted trophy after trophy summed up everything about LFC then. May he rest in peace. Hughes completed a full set of English football domestic honours by winning the League Cup with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1980. Former England skipper nicknamed 'Crazy Horse' died of a brain tumour aged 57, Towards the end as she helped him into bed or on to the sofa, Emlyn Hughes would look intently into wife Barbaras eyes and say: Weve had a lovely life havent we?. Hughes partnership with Thompson blossomed to such an extent that they would link up together for England, as Ramseys two successors, Don Revie and Ron Greenwood, both called upon the duo, individually and as a pair. The former Liverpool and England captain died from a brain tumour last week aged 57. Nick CorriganGoodbye Emlyn you brought joy to this club, and even though I never got to see you live your legacy lives on. Shankly was enamoured with Hughes from the moment he saw him, and upon being given short shrift by Blackpool he would still phone the player every Sunday morning to proclaim that he would soon be heading to Anfield, and to check that the teenager was sufficiently looking after himself. Hughes, who extended his fame as a television personality on the BBC's 'Question of Sport', had been battling a brain tumour for the last 15 months but deteriorated in the last few days. Essentially Paisleys fourth-choice central defender in 1977/78, Hansen was not to be restricted for long, and when he was paired alongside Thompson for the European Cup final the future had descended; by October 1978, Hansen had claimed the No. He was everything a footballer should be. colin McMillanhe was truly the best to ware red and will be miss by all living reds all over the world, paul greyeven in a question of sport he was funny , great liverpool player, don't lift the european cup twice for nothing great player sadly missed even in heaven HE WILL NEVER WALK ALONE. Tantalisingly close misses were experienced in the title race during the 1967/68 and 1968/69 seasons, and it was the sense that his team were only a hairs breadth away from new successes that stopped Shankly indulging in significant structural changes to his squad, apart from opting Hateley out and replacing him with the more aesthetically pleasing Alun Evans. RIP, Emlyn. All our deepest condolences go to his wife and family. He handled the noisy local kids clamouring for his autograph superbly. My abiding memory, Euro cups and League championships excepted, was when be scored two barnstorming goals at Goodison to give us victory over the blues. In 1987 he famously broke royal protocol by hugging Princess Anne as she appeared on the show. "We made him captain and he said it was one of his proudest moments, to lift the League Cup for Wolves.". Rest in peace Crazy Horse, we'll miss you. If you ever get the chance to watch it on video just see what those goals meant to him. In 1979, Hughes became a team captain on the long-running BBC quiz A Question of Sport, opposite the former rugby union footballer Gareth Edwards. Possibly the most famous show came when Princess Anne was a member of his team and, true to style, he ignored royal protocol by hugging the princess when she answered a question right. Barbara says: We never discussed death because he never considered it but Emlyn would have wanted to die at home.. Before the end of 1972, it had become patently clear that Rosss replacement in the squad, Trevor Storton, was not of a high enough quality to be entrusted to be Liverpools primary backup central defender, and when Smith continued to suffer with a cluster of injuries during the autumn and winter of 1972/73 it was to Hughes that Shankly turned for cover. You will never be forgotten but will be sadly missed. He became Liverpool captain in 1973, taking over from Tommy Smith and his years at Anfield were the most successful in the clubs history. Thank you for everything Crazy Horse. He was a great footballer who i loved to watch in those great days of when he played for liverpool. Nicknamed "Crazy Horse", he was diagnosed with cancer when he collapsed soon. Watching them in the late 70's and throughout the 80's with him as captain of probably THE GREATEST FOOTBALL TEAM EVER. It was his lucky charm.. "Football will definitely miss him - he was a legend.". Hughes remained a regular voice on all matters Liverpool throughout the 1990s, and into the early years of the new Millennium, until his health began to suffer, finally succumbing in November 2004 to a brain tumour, aged only 57. Vision Sport Publishing. His medals say it all. Dad asked what his chances were, how many survived. I wish to thank Emlyn for his contributions to my team. It wasnt grand or romantic!. England could not qualify for the World Cup after a defeat by Italy, but Hughes nonetheless celebrated a 50th cap when England beat the Italians 20 in the final qualifier at Wembley at the end of 1977. "It was growing back but he got a few looks. Emlyn gave 110% you deserve all the credit you get see you on the other side. "What's the magic word ?" Gave me my favourite childhood phrase: "Liverpool are magic, Everton are tragic". He had tears in his eyes and a heavy heart all showed in his facial expression. [11], Hughes was voted at No.10 on the official Liverpool Football Club web site poll "100 Players Who Shook The Kop". RM 2HAYWK3 - File photo dated 17-11-2004 of Former Liverpool player Ian St John arrives at Sheffield cathedral where the funeral of Emlyn Hughes took place. Liverpools new central defensive partnership, along with the expansive goalkeeping of Ray Clemence, was to be the triangular foundation upon which Paisley built a team that was as far detached from the traditional British style of play as could be possibly achieved. Nicknamed Crazy Horse , he captained. I knew nothing about football but a friend and I went to collect the teams autographs, when we came to a table where I recognised Kevin Keegan and we passed our sheets of paper around for signing. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Emlyn Hughes '87 GSAS is a professor of physics and the deputy chair of the physics department. It took a lot for a player to turn the head of the Liverpool manager enough to win himself a shirt on a Saturday afternoon at the expense of a current incumbent, yet Shankly was so smitten with Blackpools teenage talent that there would be no stopping the gravity of Hughes rise. He had an infectious laugh and smile great character, so young and so sad. everyones thoughts go out to his family. cyberdol - ThailandIts a very sad day for liverpool, MartinA Liverpool great, who will be sadly missed. No fan will ever walk alone. Hughes became much mimicked for his competitive nature and high-pitched protestations when not being able to recall an answer. He lead by example so much so that he and the rest of the team won their first European Cup on Tommy Smiths retirement game in Rome where they beat Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1. He also became only the fifth player to represent England in three separate decades, joining Jesse Pennington, Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Peter Shilton. Emlyn Hughes was one of the significant signings of that barren era from 1966 to 1970 and the story goes that Shanks watched him play just once, saw enough and tried to sign him straight away. For Hughes, 1970 was an important year in his career. [citation needed] He once identified a picture of a heavily muddied jockey as John Reid, only to be told it was Princess Anne. Hughes, not yet 23, survived the cull, together with Ian Callaghan and Tommy Smith, and the new recruits who would help establish Liverpool's dominance in the 1970s began to arrive. One of the greats of a great Liverpool side is no longer with us.". He was one of the greats. It was a shrewd piece of business. Id gone to get him some tablets and then the doctor, whod visit on his way home, said, You havent got much time., So I went in and that was it. Emlyn Hughes - Wikipedia Condolences to your wife and family. His medals say it all. I still believe now that on the occasions when Liverpool get frustrated and urge their team forward lots of them are thinking " just like Emlyn used to do", Thankyou Emlyn for all the glorious memories you have left us.You were SIMPLY THE BEST. Something went wrong, please try again later. There was no coma, he didnt talk gobbledegook, he was just normal and then he was gone. I'm 59 years old and can remember when Shanks signed Emlyn from Blackpool as a raw younster who became a great inspirational footballer for Liverpool and England and he captained both. Christened as Crazy Horse by the Kop a nickname reputedly dreamed up by Evertonians in less complimentary origins Hughes was widely adored by Liverpool supporters, but often struck a polarising figure in the dressing room, harbouring a long-heralded feud with Smith. RIP Emlyn; God Bless, Always. 2013, 2014. Lawrence Dallaglios mum gave him an England cap so he wore that. The statistics were something like one in every ten thousand. Women's Super League Titles. The awards were presented at the annual ceremony, held at the Millennium Mayfair Hotel in London on 18 September.[14]. Across the next five years, the trophies and the medals tumbled in Liverpools direction, as Hughes captained the club under Bob Paisley to three further league titles, two European Cups and one UEFA Cup, along with a handful of Charity Shields and a European Super Cup. A classic interview from 1964 between Blackpool and England star and part time editor and journalist Jimmy Armfield and a young seventeen year old full back born in Barrow-in-Furness who's father played for the British Lions Rugby Union side as well as appearing in the other code for Barrow, who has just completed his first year as a professional footballer with Blackpool FC. I still believe now that on the occasions when Liverpool get frustrated and urge their team forward lots of them are thinking " just like Emlyn used to do", cathyThankyou Emlyn for all the glorious memories you have left us.You were SIMPLY THE BEST. My prayers are with his family at this time. Robert Wilkins, BristolI have been a lifelong Liverpool fan and when I was about 9 or 10 I can remember my dad taking me to the barbers. By this time Hughes's place in the side was under threat from talented young Scottish defender Alan Hansen, who had arrived the previous season for 100,000 from Partick Thistle. Thanks Emlyn. I will always remember as if it was yesterday the look on Emlyn's face as he trudged up the stairs at Wembly after narrowly losing the FA Cup Final in 1977 to Man Utd. Good night Crazy horse and God bless. Always full of enthusiasm and energy. Emma says: They couldnt get all the tumour so we asked, Right, whats next? The medical team said there was no cure. I remember this big man.. and he was just that a Big Man. Emlyn was a great player an takes me back to my childhood in the 70's when we the reds were the best.god bless thoughts are with Emlyns family you'll never walk alone. The couple married in 1972 after a typically understated proposal. and it dawned on me - he played the game in the spirit it was always meant to be played - and the spirit I enjoyed watching it played. I was in the Kop, LFC were playing Man City, Rodney Marsh was goal bound on his own. Hughes would sporadically return to action, usually at left-back as cover, or occasionally in place of an inconsistent Kennedy; he would play his last games for Liverpool in the two unsuccessful attempts to beat Manchester United in the 1979 FA Cup semi-final, occasions that came fast off the back of Hughes testimonial game against Borussia Monchengladbach. Unwittingly, when Hughes lifted the European Cup into the Wembley night sky in May 1978, after the club defeated Club Brugge to become the first British team to retain the trophy, little did he or anyone else realise that he was soon to be a casualty of Paisleys evolution policy. Liverpool FC Women, playing as Liverpool FC Ladies, won their first WSL title in 2013 and would go on to repeat the feat in 2014 after a dramatic season finale saw them leapfrog from third to first. Emlyn Hughes talks EXCLUSIVELY to shankly.com. [3] Hughes won the Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1977. John Toshack, who made his name as a Liverpool striker in the 1970s, told BBC Radio Five Live that Hughes would have played an outstanding role in any dressing room. G Royan - Kuala LumpurAs a foreign student in Liverpool in the mid to late 70's, my introduction to English (and European)football was through the great team of Liverpool FC. KeithEmlyn Hughes was the epitome of enthusiasm for the game, loyalty to club and country, and all-round professionalism that is so rarely seen today. RIP Emlyn. He underwent surgery for a brain tumour in August last year and his condition deteriorated in the last few days. Emlyn Hughes dies aged 57 - London Evening Standard A privilege to have known him. He was virtually unable to walk and his eyesight was affected. You've not seen nothing like the mighty Emlyn - This Is Anfield They are doing it for the charity Brain Tumour Research to raise awareness of the disease that took Emlyns life. Rest in peace, dear Emlyn. He became even kinder and more thoughtful. Now, 30 odd years later, I realise just how much of an influence he had and what a wonderful man he was. 13.8K subscribers 32K views 11 years ago A classic "Question of Sport" moment from the late, great Emlyn Hughes. He went on to win the League Cup in his first season with Wolves the only trophy he did not win with Liverpool lifting it as captain after a 10 win over Nottingham Forest at Wembley. Ramsey gave Hughes his debut on 5 November of that year, playing him at left back in a friendly against the Netherlands at the Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam. NickI just wish modern players followed Emlyn's example. RIP, Emlyn. What an introduction! Gave it his all, not only for the Liver Bird, but anything he set out to do. Barbara, who now has three grandchildren, was 19 when they met in a pub in Barrow-in-Furness in 1967. Along with Nobby Stiles, Hughes was one of only two outfield players who did not feature in any game. My sincere condolences to the family of Emlyn. R.I.P Emlyn, gone but not forgotten. Its an overused phrase, but there will NEVER be another. With Callaghan enjoying life in central midfield, the impressive contributions of Thompson and the ease with which Peter Cormack switched to the centre from the right, while Hughes was irreplaceable in individual terms in midfield, his teammates collectively had it covered magnificently. 'Crazy Horse' Emlyn Hughes dies at 57 | Media | The Guardian As the promotions manager for Hi Tec Sports,Emlyn was an after dinner speaker for my Company and I can say that he was always the perfect gentleman and above all a nice guy, with no ego at all. Hughes's involvement with the BBC also included work as an analyst on radio. You'll Never Walk Alone. Hughes twice lifted the European Cup, first in Rome in 1977, then at Wembley in 1978. Barbara says: Emlyn would have loved the idea of it have a party, watch football, and raise money for a wonderful cause.. Emlyn will always be part of the great Liverpool history. A sad day for all football fans around the world. Rotherham were relegated after winning only one more game during the season. I WILL MISS THE MIGHTY EMLYN! He also made 62 appearances for his country - 23 as captain - his last coming in 1980. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. A true gent with a heart of gold. Emlyn, Shanks, Bob and Joe have already got the Captain's armband ready for you. Rest Well Emlyn you were one of the best!!! Tameem AdelYou taught us how it feels to be a footballer. jennifer TriggsMy memory of meeting with Emlyn Hughes is rather unusual, I was out in Moscow with my late (d.22/07/2002) husband Albert's job in the early 70's when the England football team came to play, all the Ex Pats went to the match of course to support them. A Liverpool legend, a excellent player. But you learn to get by.. What he said was typical, "Jesus Christ did I write that?". Keith DiamondFantastic player that powered the club forward. All rights reserved - LFCHistory.net - [emailprotected] - This is an independent website not owned by Liverpool Football Club. Greenwood included him in the squad for the European Championship finals in Italy as an experienced reserve, but Hughes did not play any matches and England were eliminated in the group stages. Emlyn Hughes was the epitome of enthusiasm for the game, loyalty to club and country, and all-round professionalism that is so rarely seen today. 5 talking points from West Ham 1-2 Liverpool. Cameron, Emmas five-year-old son, is a Liverpool fan and recognises his granddad in old TV clips. We were chatting to the guys at the table when this little voice squeaks up Dont you want my autograph then? In my ignorance I answered by asking him are you one of the team then? Which caused the rest of the table to roar with laughter, of course the cheeky faced team member was Emlyn. Rest in peace Crazy Horse. Thanks to the superb site. Always full of enthusiasm and energy. Hughes hosted the short-lived BBC game show Box Clever during 1986 and 1987. His hair was a bit odd because of the radiotherapy. What a leader and ambassador for English football they had in Emlyn! [6] Smith said he never told Shankly because it would have "broken his heart".[7]. Clubs: Blackpool, Liverpool, Wolves, Hull City, Mansfield Town, Swansea City, Rotherham Utd (manager), Club honours: (Liverpool): 4 league titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 3 Charity Shields, 1 UEFA Super Cup, Footballer of the Year 1977 (Wolves): 1 League Cup, Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox. RIP Emlyn. Thank you for everything Crazy Horse. I just closed the door on the room where he died. Emlyn Hughes is a Professor of Physics at Columbia University. I thought he was joking. He gave the barber a photo of Emlyn Hughes saying, 'he'll have his hair cut like Emlyn's'. Hughes arrived at Liverpool in 1967 for a cool 55,000. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Hughes made his Wolves debut at the Baseball Ground on 22 August 1979 in a 10 win over Derby County. My abiding memory, Euro cups and League championships excepted, was when be scored two barnstorming goals at Goodison to give us victory over the blues. Evertonian New York City. ", Chief executive Rick Parry said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to wife Barbara, children Emma and Emlyn junior, and the rest of the family at this sad time.".