Iconic Liverpool captain Ron Yeats dies as Reds pay tribute to Bill Shankly's 'colossus'

Legendary Liverpool captain Ron Yeats has died aged 86 after suffering from Alzheimer's.

Yeats captained the Reds more than 400 times, a figure second only to Steven Gerrard, and guided the English giants to three major trophies.

The former Scotland defender lifted two First Division titles and the FA Cup with Liverpool during the 1960s after guiding them out of the Second Division.

He also played for Dundee United and Tranmere Rovers during his 21-year senior career.

In a touching tribute, Liverpool wrote on the club's official website: “In the words of Bill Shankly, a 'colossus' in the club's history, the Scot died on Friday evening at the age of 86, having sadly suffered from Alzheimer's in recent years.

“Signed in July 1961 from Dundee United, defender Yeats was one of the transformative players of Shankly's fledgling revolution at the Reds, helping to lift the club out of the doldrums of a long period in the Second Division.

“‘Walk around him,’ the manager told the media when Yeats was unveiled that summer. ‘He’s a colossus.’ As so often before, Shankly was right.”

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge was also among those who paid tribute on social media.

He wrote: “Woke up today to the sad news of one of Liverpool's greatest ever players and captains, Ron Yeats. What a man!

“I am honored to have met him on many occasions. What Ron and my family have been through over the past eight years with his illness is incredibly sad!

“All our thoughts on behalf of the former player are with his family. Good night. God bless Ron. May he rest in peace.”

2

We will continue to report more.