The sad news doing the rounds this morning is that Ronnie Moran, bona fide Liverpool club legend, has passed away at the age of 83.
Moran joined the Reds as a 15-year-old in 1949 and duly spent his entire playing career at the club, making 379 appearances, many of which as captain.
He then moved into coaching at the behest of Bill Shankly, thus forming part of the iconic ‘Boot Room Boys’ alongside Shanks, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Reuben Bennett.
Indeed, when Moran officially retired in 1998, he bowed out as Liverpool’s longest-serving employee, winning and/or overseeing 44 trophies in nigh-on 50 years at Anfield.
No wonder they call him Mr Liverpool.
The Boot Room Boys (l-r: Shankly, Paisley, Moran, Fagan, Bennett) at Anfield, circa 1960
Liverpool manager Bob Paisley is flanked by Ronnie Moran (left) as he makes his way to the dugout before Liverpool’s European Cup-Winner’s Cup tie against Ferencvaros in Budapest, Hungary, 1974
Ronnie Moran assists Liverpool forward Phil Boersma in finding the right pair of trainers, 1975
Ronnie Moran in all his Umbro-clad glory, 1975
Serving as a physio at the time, Ronnie Moran packs away his towels in the Anfield kit room, 1976
Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran enjoy the sunshine ahead of Liverpool’s UEFA Cup semi-final against Barcelona, 1976
Ronnie Moran enjoys a beer in the spacious communal bath at the Camp Nou, 1976
Ronnie Moran puts Ray Clemence through his paces during a training session, 1977
Ronnie Moran examines John Toshack’s iffy ankle, 1977
Liverpool back-roomers Joe Fagan, Roy Evans and Ronnie Moran celebrate a win over Borussia Monchengladbach, 1977
“He’d bollock you whether you deserved it or not!” – Roy Evans
Ronnie Moran (alongside his beautiful Gola kit bag) roars instructions from the dugout, 1977
Chris Lawler, Roy Evans, Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran (complete with lip fringe) celebrate Liverpool’s European Cup Final win over Roma, 1984
Ronnie Moran works on Bruce Grobbelaar’s reaction speed, 1987
Ronnie Moran gives Alan Hanson’s fleshy bits a massage at Anfield after a 4-0 win over Watford, 1987
Ronnie Moran celebrates with Kenny Dalglish and Roy Evans after beating Derby to secure the Division One title, 1990
He really was one of a kind. Here’s our favourite Moran anecdote, courtesy of Kelly Cates…
Ronnie Moran would take medals into the dressing room and tell players to "Take one if you think you deserve it."👌🏼 pic.twitter.com/VG7E7eKRXB
— Kelly Cates ❄️ (@KellyCates) March 22, 2017
Top stuff.
Ronnie Moran RIP, 1934-2017