Liverpool captain Hughes mourned

By Jonathan Caswell

Emlyn Hughes, captain of Liverpool FC and England, who was the on-field talisman for Reds managers Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, has died aged 57. He underwent surgery for a brain tumour in August last year and his condition deteriorated in the last few days.

Glittering career
In 12 years at Liverpool, Hughes won four league championships, the European Champion Clubs' Cup and UEFA Cup twice apiece, the FA Cup, and the English League Cup with his next club, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. In addition, he was capped 62 times by England - 23 as captain - between 1969 and 1980.

Blackpool sojourn
'Crazy Horse', as he was dubbed, was born in Barrow, Cumbria, the son of a Welsh international rugby league player, but the young Hughes was more attracted to soccer and his talent caught the eye of Blackpool FC for whom he made his debut in 1965/66.

Record fee
He was a regular the following season, yet had played only 28 league games when Shankly brought him to Anfield for £65,000 (€93,000) - a record fee for a full-back. Hughes was fast, strong, and enthusiastic and his abilities would also be deployed in midfield as he became an irreplaceable member of a Liverpool side that eventually dominated English and European football.

'Great captain'
Kenny Dalglish, perhaps Liverpool's greatest player, said of Hughes's leadership qualities: "He was a great captain of Liverpool and a great example of everything Shanks wanted the club to stand for."

King of Europe
Hughes won championships in 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1979 and appeared in three Wembley cup finals: losing to Arsenal FC (1971) and Manchester United FC (1977) but defeating Newcastle United FC (1974). He played 657 matches for Liverpool, scoring 48 goals, and was named Footballer of the Year in 1977. Arguably his finest achievements, though, were to lead Liverpool to victory in the European Cup finals of 1977, against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, and 1978, against Club Brugge KV.

Medals not money
Les Lawson, secretary of the Merseyside branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club, said: "Emlyn was an absolute hero. Legends are made by what they do on the pitch, not by how much money they earn. Some modern players earn vast amounts but they will never be the player Emlyn was."

Media career
From Anfield, Hughes went to Wolverhampton Wanderers, before spells with Rotherham United FC (as player-manager), Hull City AFC, Mansfield Town FC and Swansea City FC. He later pursued a career in the media, appearing on the BBC quiz show A Question of Sport, where he once hugged Princess Anne after she answered a question correctly. He is survived by his wife Barbara, son Emlyn and daughter Emma.