Liverpool Football Club reported the death of their pioneering captain, Ron Yeats, on Saturday, at 86 years old. Originally from Aberdeen, Yeats was a stalwart in the centre back position, with his commanding presence prompting manager Bill Shankly to dub him a “colossus”. Struggling with Alzheimer’s disease in his later years, Yeats had a celebrated career at Anfield after being transferred from Dundee United in July 1961.
Despite being just 23 years old at that time, Yeats quickly earned the captain’s armband within six months, and would continue to lead the team for the next decade. In total, he appeared in 454 games for Liverpool, in which he scored 16 goals over his ten-year captaincy.
Yeats’ 417-game tenure as Liverpool’s captain was only surpassed by Steven Gerrard in recent years. He remarkably lifted Liverpool from the Second Division, securing two Division One league titles for the team and, importantly, secured Liverpool’s inaugural FA Cup in 1965. After the exhausting win against Leeds in the final, he memorably told the Queen during the trophy presentation that he was “spent”.
Upon leaving Liverpool after his 454-game career, he managed Tranmere and played briefly in America while in his late thirties. In 1986, he returned to Anfield, taking up the post of chief scout for 20 years – proudly signing Sami Hyypia, who became a figurehead in the centre back position much like Yeats himself.
Liverpool expressed their sorrow over the loss of Yeats, releasing a statement on Saturday that shared their condolences with his wife, Ann, his loved ones, and friends at this difficult time. In a sign of respect, flags across various club sites were flown at half-mast. Previous Liverpool defender, Phil Thompson, who joined the club during Yeats’ departure season, expressed his sadness, returning to Liverpool as assistant manager later on.
“It’s heart-wrenching to learn about Big Ron Yeats’ demise,” stated Thompson on X. “He was my childhood hero, and I treasured our friendship. This loss is huge. Rest in peace, Big Man.”
Spanning his career, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher saw Yeats as a trailblazer who shaped the club’s legacy. Carragher tweeted, “A behemoth in stature and in the game. Figureheads like Big Ron are key to Liverpool’s story. Rest in peace.”
Ex-Ireland striker, John Aldridge, also expressed his sorrow for Yeats’s loss. Aldridge, a previous Reds striker, said, “Today I woke up to learn about the death of one of Liverpool FC’s legendary players and captains, Ron Yeats.” Aldridge continued reflecting, “I feel privileged to have had numerous encounters with him. Ron and his family have endured an unthinkable eight-year struggle with his illness, which is incredibly tragic. We, his former teammates, extend our condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Ron.”
Robbie Fowler, one more former Liverpool striker, conveyed, “Rest in peace, great man. My thoughts are with Ron’s loved ones.”
During his spell at Tranmere, Yeats led Rovers to an iconic victory against Arsenal at Highbury in the 1973 League Cup. Mark Palios, who started his playing career with Yeats at the Merseyside club now Tranmere chairman, said, “Ron was a mentor and the one who signed me as a professional. His inspiration extended to numerous others, including Ronnie Moore, Bobby Tynan, Dickie Johnson, Steve Coppell, to name a few. He was not only an inspiring manager but also an exceptional player, as evidenced by his 1973 display at Highbury.”
He concluded, “Bill Shankly rightly described him as a true giant. Ron undoubtedly was one of football’s finest. He will be greatly missed, and we extend our condolences to his family.”