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  • Former Liverpool & Everton stalwart dies

    Liverpool and Everton favourite Ablett dies after 16-month battle against cancer


    By Sportsmail Reporter

    Last updated at 2:06 PM on 2nd January 2012

    Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett has died after a long battle against cancer. He was 46.

    Ablett, who had a season as Stockport manager in 2009-10, lost his 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on Sunday night.

    Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen paid tribute to a 'great' team-mate.

    'He was a lovely guy and he was quite unassuming and everyone loved him,' said the ex-Scotland international.

    Passed: Gary Ablett has died after 16-month cancer battle

    '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. Talking to two or three ex-Liverpool players we are all distraught because we all thought he was fine and recovering.

    '[To die at] 46 years of age is absolutely tragic. Each and every one of us is stunned by the news.'

    Hansen, who played in the same side in which Ablett won two Division One titles and an FA Cup in 147 appearances, felt the defender - who was comfortable in both the centre and on the left - would have had an even better career had he not been at Anfield at a time when they were arguably the best team in the world.

    '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. 'If he had joined Liverpool in the late 70s or early 80s he would have been a permanent fixture.


    Popular figure: Ablett was widely respected by players and fans across the generations. He turned out for a Liverpool Legends team at the Hillsbrough Disaster Memorial match

    'He was a dedicated, consummate professional but he was right at the top of the tree. I had a couple of great centre-back partnerships at Liverpool and he was as good as anything.

    'I played with him when he was on the left-side of defence and he made it really easy for me and as soon as he stepped into the Liverpool side I knew he was top-class player.'

    Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans told Sky Sports News: '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 made a big contribution to the game.
    '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.'
    On the job: Ablett was in charge of Stockport County between 2009 and 2010


    David Fairclough, who played for Liverpool between 1974 and 1983, added: '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.'
    Ablett took up a coaching role with Ipswich in July 2010 but was taken ill while at the club's training ground and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

    'Liverpool Football Club were today saddened to learn of the death of former player Gary Ablett,' said a statement from the Reds. 'The staff of Liverpool FC would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Gary.'
    A statement from Everton said: 'Everyone at Everton was saddened to learn of the death of Gary Ablett. The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with Gary's family and friends at this tragic time.'
    In October Ablett spoke of the shock at being diagnosed with the disease.
    'Jacqueline took one look at me and took me straight to the doctors,' he said in an interview with Everton's official website to support Blue September - a campaign to raise awareness of forms of cancer specifically affecting men.

    'The following day they whisked me to Ipswich hospital and the sister asked us if we knew why we were there. We said "for tests" but she told us they had found a really aggressive lymphoma and that without immediate treatment I'd be in serious trouble.

    'From diagnosis to that first session of chemotherapy was less than three days, so it was a massive shock.'






    Crossing the divide: Ablett enjoyed success on both sides of Stanley Park


    Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who became Stockport manager in 2011 a year after Ablett left the post, said: '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.'
    HAVE YOUR SAY...
    Leave your tributes to Gary Ablett: 1965-2012 Gary Ablett has passed away after losing his long battle with cancer. Ablett enjoyed a successful playing career which covered spells with Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton. He also played for Birmingham, Hull, Derby, Sheffield United, Wycombe, Blackpool and Long Island Rough Riders. How will you remember him?

    TELL US WHAT YOU THINK




    Former club Birmingham have announced a minute's silence will be observed before their npower Championship match at Peterborough on Monday with another held at St Andrew's on Saturday prior to their FA Cup third round tie with Wolves.

    'The thoughts of everyone connected with Birmingham City Football Club are with the friends and family of Gary Ablett,' said a Blues statement.

    'Just like he battled as a fierce competitor on the pitch, Ablett fought non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for over year before passing away peacefully last night.
    'Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Gary's wife Jacqueline and his children and everyone else that knew him.'

    Ipswich's players will wear black armbands for this afternoon's visit of Nottingham Forest and Ablett will be honoured with a minute's applause.

    'It's desperately sad news,' Town chief executive Simon Clegg told the club. 'I stayed in touch with Gary as he battled his illness over 18 months, which he did with bravery and dignity and our thoughts go out to his wife Jacqueline and their children at this very difficult time.'

    Ian Rush, who played alongside Ablett during his two spells at Liverpool in the 1980s and 90s, said Merseyside will be united in their sorrow today.

    'He sums up what people are like in Liverpool, In 1989 (FA Cup final) when Liverpool and Everton fans were together, this will be exactly the same for Gary,' Rush said.

    'He's a true Scouser and when things are going wrong people stick together, they get together, both Liverpool and Everton supporters will support each other. That's what people on Merseyside will be doing today.'


    Up for the cup: Ablett won league titles with Liverpool, and the FA Cup with Everton





    He added on Sky Sports News: 'We're absolutely gutted, Gary was a gentleman both on and off the pitch. When I received the news this morning I just couldn't believe it. It was terrible news and my heart goes out to his family.

    'What you saw is what you got with Gary. Whoever he played for, be it Liverpool, Everton, Birmingham or whoever, he always gave 100 per cent. That's very rare these days.

    'In those days people just saw him as a normal player, but I think in today's game he'd be right up there because these sorts of players don't come by anymore.'

    Rush also praised Ablett's coaching ability, adding: 'People don't realise what a good coach he was.

    'I remember him when he was managing Liverpool reserves, he put his voice across in the right way. He wasn't a shouter or a raver, he put it in the right way. His knowledge of the game was getting better all the time.'



    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1iJXghMiu
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