Liverpool Legend Ray Clemence Dies

Ray Clemence (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The legendary goalkeeper of Liverpool, England and Tottenham Hotspur national team, Ray Clemence, died on Sunday aged 72, the FA announced.

"After struggling hard for a long time, he is now resting in peace without pain," said a statement by the late Clemence's family which was broadcast by the FA as reported by Antara.

Clemence started his career by defending Scunthorpe United in the third tier of England before being brought in by Bill Shankly to Liverpool in 1967.

During his 14 years with Liverpool, Clemence won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup trophy, an English League Cup trophy, two UEFA Cup trophies and three Champions League trophies.

Clemence played his last appearance for Liverpool in the 1980/81 Champions Cup final, helping the Reds beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Parc des Princes, Paris, before moving to Tottenham.

At Tottenham, Clemence also collected two more winning medals, namely the 1981/82 FA Cup and the 1983/84 UEFA Cup.

As for the England national team, Clemence made 61 appearances in the 1972-1983 period and became the first goalkeeper to carry the captain's armband again after Frank Swift in 1981.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Clemence was involved in a stiff competition with Peter Shilton for the place of England's main goalkeeper to pass on the baton from Gordon Banks.

"I am devastated by the sad news that Ray Clemence has passed away," Shilton tweeted on his personal Twitter account, @Peter_Shilton.

"We are rivals but very good friends. Ray is a brilliant goalkeeper with a good sense of humor, I will miss him very much as we are very close friends after retirement. Rest in peace, my friends," Shilton wrote in the same tweet.

After retiring, Clemence worked as a goalkeeping coach at Tottenham and the England national team.