UPDATED: TRIBUTES are being made in memory of Warrington-based Liverpool and England World Cup winner Roger Hunt who has died aged 83.
Affectionately known as ‘Sir Roger’ to Liverpool fans, Hunt, who lived in Culcheth, was part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning side and is Liverpool’s record league scorer with 244 goals.
The striker, who started his football career at Stockton Heath, which was later renamed as Warrington Town, won 34 England caps, scoring 18 international goals after making his debut in 1962 when Liverpool were in English football’s second tier. He played in every game at the 1966 World Cup, scoring three times to help England out of their group.
Born in Glazebury on 20 July 1938, Hunt signed for Liverpool in 1958 and made his 492nd and final appearance for the club in 1969, moving to Bolton.
Under legendary manager, Bill Shankly Hunt helped the club out of the Second Division in 1962 by scoring 41 goals in as many games.
Liverpool then went on to win the First Division in 1964 and 1966 either side of an FA Cup win in 1965.
Paying tribute, Liverpool’s current manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Roger Hunt comes second to no-one in his importance in the history of Liverpool FC, that much is clear.
“To be the goalscoring catalyst of the Shankly team to actually achieve promotion and then go on to win those precious league titles and the FA Cup puts him in a bracket of LFC legends who are responsible for making us the club we are today. Not only that, he was also a World Cup winner in 1966, too.
“I am told the Kop christened him ‘Sir Roger’ for all his achievements. A goalscorer who never stopped working to help his team-mates; I believe he would have fitted in well within our current team.
“So, it is Sir Roger we will remember, honour and pay tribute to over the coming days.”
A Liverpool FC statement said: “We are mourning the passing of legendary former player Roger Hunt.
“The thoughts of everybody at Liverpool Football Club are with Roger’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.”
Hunt, who was involved in a family business based in Culcheth until his retirement, was spotted playing for Stockton Heath while doing his national service and signed by Liverpool.
He kept in contact with Warrington Town, showing his support for the club during their memorable FA Cup journey.
He was also involved in a 50th anniversary World Cup exhibition at the former Lymm Hotel, which hosted the legendary Pele and Brazil team during the 1966 World Cup.
In December 2016 Warrington’s most famous footballing son was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough by the borough council.
Paying tribute Leader of the Council, Cllr Russ Bowden said: “Roger will go down in history as a footballing legend, but he also made a significant impact that transcended sport, through his community and charity work.
“It was a pleasure to witness Roger being made an Honorary Freeman of our borough in 2016 and I will always remember how positively, and how passionately, he spoke of Warrington. He will unquestionably be seen as one of our all-time sporting heroes, who was an outstanding ambassador for our borough, and there is no doubt that he leaves an incredible legacy in Warrington and beyond. My thoughts are with Roger’s friends and family at this sad time.”
Meanwhile, Warrington Town will be paying their respects with a minute’s silence in memory of Roger at their home game against Bashford United this evening.
Club chairman, Toby Macormac said: “Sir Roger was always supportive of the club and never forgot where it all began for him. In the season we won the league he turned up at the club with a signed montage he’d made with his career over the years including his time with England, it was a really thoughtful gesture that I won’t forget.
“Everyone at Warrington Town sends their condolences to Roger’s family and friends.”
Roger was hugely respected across Warrington and had various patron roles including at Culture Warrington.
Culture Warrington’s chair, Maureen Banner said: “Roger had always been a great supporter of Culture Warrington and became a patron of our charitable trust in 2017. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.
“As part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning line-up, Roger leaves behind an incredible legacy but he never forgot his roots.
“Before he joined us as a patron, he was instrumental in helping us to receive a grant from the Football Association in 2016 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1966 win.
“That donation was used for an outreach project for young people in Warrington. Roger was delighted about that because he was passionate about making Culture Warrington services, as well as arts, culture and heritage, more accessible to the whole community. We have lost one of the greats.”
"Roger will unquestionably be seen as one of our all-time sporting heroes who was an outstanding ambassador for our borough, and there is no doubt that he leaves an incredible legacy in Warrington and beyond." Rest in peace, Roger Hunt: https://t.co/BOhgFFSyKU pic.twitter.com/VcRBQehjKS
— Warrington Borough Council (@WarringtonBC) September 28, 2021
Warrington Town is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Roger Hunt.
A minute’s silence will be held in memory of Hunt ahead of our Northern Premier League game against Basford United this evening.
RIP.https://t.co/LQMKBfuS3u pic.twitter.com/CyFfKPvBdz
— Warrington Town FC (@theyellows) September 28, 2021
We are mourning the passing of legendary former player Roger Hunt.
The thoughts of everybody at Liverpool Football Club are with Roger’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.
Rest in peace, Sir Roger Hunt 1938 – 2021.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 28, 2021
Roger Hunt with his framed certificate – Picture Paul Jackson
Roger Hunt at the 50th anniversary exhibition at the Lymm Hotel
England World Cup winner Roger Hunt in his Liverpool days – PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
