FORMER Rangers and Liverpool hero Willie Stevenson has died at the age of 85.
Born in Leith in the north of Edinbugh, Stevenson originally played for Dalkeith Hearts before signing for Gers in 1958.
2
2
He played over 100 times for the Ibrox club and was part of the league championship-winning team in 1958/59 and won the Scottish Cup with the Light Blues the following season.
The emergence of Jim Baxter at Rangers led to Stevenson moving to Liverpool in 1962 for £20,000 and he became one of the stalwart’s in Bill Shankly’s iconic sides of the sixties.
He retired in 1975 after a stint at Macclesfield Town.
Tributes have poured in for the Scot as the news broke.
With the Reds, Stevenson won the league twice and the FA Cup and played in almost 250 games before joining Stoke City in a £30,000 transfer in 1967.
A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former player Willie Stevenson.
“Stevenson, who made 241 appearances for the club in the 1960s, has died at the age of 85.
“A skilful left-half, Edinburgh-born Stevenson was signed by Bill Shankly from Rangers in October 1962 and was a key member of the team that won First Division titles in 1964 and 1966, as well as the Reds’ first FA Cup in 1965.
“He missed only nine league matches in his first four full seasons at Anfield and also collected a runners-up medal in the 1966 Cup Winners’ Cup.
“Stevenson scored 18 goals for Liverpool, including the penalty that clinched a 2-0 semi-final win over Chelsea en route to the historic FA Cup success of 1965.
“His final appearance for the club came in November 1967, three days after he marked his Anfield swansong by netting a late spot-kick winner to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1.
“Stevenson then moved to Stoke City in December 1967 and would later represent Tranmere Rovers, Vancouver Whitecaps, Limerick and Macclesfield Town before hanging up his boots.
“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Willie’s loved ones at this sad time.”
Stoke released a statement in which he was described as a popular player with the Potters’ faithful.
It read: “Stoke City Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former left half, Willie Stevenson, at the age of 85.
“The Scot, who hailed from Leith and began his career with Rangers, made more than 100 appearances for the Potters between 1967 and 1973 after Tony Waddington brought him to the Victoria Ground for a £30,000 fee from Liverpool.
“A two-time First Division winner with the Reds, either side of lifting the FA Cup in 1965, Stevenson joined City in December 1967 and featured regularly until he suffered a leg break in defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in October of 1970.
“A popular member of the Potters’ side which reached the FA Cup semi-finals in successive seasons in the early 70s, he was also with City when Waddington’s side lifted the 1972 League Cup, featuring in the Third Round as City overcame Oxford United.
“Stevenson, who scored seven goals for the Club, then featured for Tranmere Rovers, Vancouver Whitecaps and Macclesfield Town in the latter years of his playing career.
“We send our thoughts and sincere condolences to Willie’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Football historian Kieran Smith said: “Extremely sad news to announce the passing of the great Willie Stevenson. An Anfield legend and an esteemed member of Shankly’s great team of the 1960s. Our thoughts are with his family and friends YNWA.”
One Liverpool supporter said: “RIP Willie Stevenson, one of Shankly’s heroes.”
Another said: “Rest in peace, Willie Stevenson. A true Red. Thoughts and prayers with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
And this fan said: “Sad to hear the news of the death of one of my first ever heroes. RIP Willie Stevenson. Absolute legend.”
George Scott, a team mate of Stevenson’s at Anfield, added: “Just heard of the sad passing of my old pal from our days together at Anfield, the great Billy Stevenson. What a great player and a great character he was. When we used to play five a sides at Melwood he would shout ‘Don’t waste it Scotty give it to me’. RIP Billy.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
