Ian St John of Saint and Greavsie dies aged 82

The former Liverpool striker had a successful career both on and off the pitch

Author: Sophie ParsonsPublished 2nd Mar 2021
Last updated 2nd Mar 2021

Former football pundit and one half of the TV partnership Saint and Greavsie, Ian St John, has died at the age of 82.

The popular TV show ran from 1985-1992 on ITV and discussed everything football related including day's matches and current themes in the sport.

The presenter duo were dubbed the "godfathers" of football comedy by the comedians behind the Three Lions song, Frank Skinner and David Baddiel.

Prior to his pundit career, the Liverpool and Scotland striker made 425 appearances for the Reds and scored 118 goals as a key member of Bill Shankly’s famous side of the 1960s.

The Merseyside club said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a true Anfield legend, Ian St John.

“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ian’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time. Rest in peace, Ian St John 1938-2021.”

Originally hailing from Motherwell in Scotland, St John signed for his home team in 1957, before leaving four years later to join Liverpool FC for a club record fee of ÂŁ37,500.

St John won two first division titles under Shankly and scored the winning goal in the 1965 FA Cup final, deemed "the single greatest moment of the Shankly era."

He also represented Scotland 21 times, scoring nine goals.

After retiring in 1973, he returned to Motherwell as manager, before moving to manage Portsmouth in 1974.

Keen to encourage younger players to pick up the sport, he launched St John’s Soccer Camps, football academies aimed at coaching up and coming youth players.

Tributes to the Liverpool legend have been pouring in on social media.

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