Liverpool are mourning the death of club legend Ray Kennedy, who has died at the age of 70.
Kennedy, who passed away having suffered from Parkinson's disease for 35 years, was a key figure in the Reds team that dominated both English and European football in the 1970s.
He made 393 appearances and scored 72 goals while winning five league championships, three European Cups, one League Cup, a UEFA Cup and a European Super Cup during a seven-and-a-half-year stay at Liverpool.
His arrival at the club from Arsenal in July 1974 was overshadowed by the news Bill Shankly, the manager who had signed him, announced his departure from Anfield on the same day.
OBITUARY: Ray Kennedy was Bill Shankly’s Liverpool parting gift who became Bob Paisley's most wanted player
READ MORE: Ray Kennedy's return to Anfield led to emotional response from Liverpool and Arsenal fans
While initially brought in as a forward, Kennedy was transformed into a midfielder by Shankly's successor Bob Paisley, with his progress earning him 20 England caps while at Liverpool.
Two of Kennedy's most famous goals for the club came in the European Cup, scoring the second in the memorable 3-1 quarter-final win over St Etienne in 1977 and notching at Bayern Munich to win the 1981 semi-final on away goals.
He later moved to Swansea City, Hartlepool and Cypriot team Pezoporikos before ongoing health issues ultimately led to a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in November 1986.
Liverpool and Arsenal held a testimonial match in his honour at Highbury in 1991, with Paisley writing of Kennedy in his autobiography: “In my view he was one of Liverpool's greatest players and probably the most underrated.”
Kennedy was also an inspiration for other sufferers of Parkinson's disease with Parkinson's UK paying tribute to the former Liverpool man.
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And Caroline Rassell, chief executive of Parkinson’s UK, said: “Most young boys dream of becoming a footballer. Ray not only lived that dream but enjoyed incredible success doing so.
“Ray lived with Parkinson’s for a long time. He spoke honestly about the challenges he faced including dealing with some of the lesser known symptoms like hallucinations.
“Many people with the condition feel the need to hide their diagnosis, but Ray will have inspired so many people to talk openly about their own life with Parkinson’s. The part he played in raising awareness of the condition, like his football skills, will not be forgotten.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Around 145,000 people in the UK have Parkinson’s. Further information, advice and support is available on www.parkinsons.org.uk or by using a free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
