Emlyn Hughes (28th August 1947 to 9th November 2004)
When I was a lad Emlyn was in my
football sticker annuals for years and he was always dressed in red in some
kind of action shot. He played for Liverpool 665 times and is one of the club's
legends. There're two statues made in his
honour - one of him being carried off a pitch by legendary manager Bob Paisley.
While in South Yorkshire I had a frothy coffee in the car park of the
crematorium where particles of him bellowed heavenward.
He was born in Barrow-in-Furness but moved south to play for
Blackpool. The great Bill Shankly signed him for
£65,000 in March 1967 and it was probably the best money he ever spent on a
player. His new signing was possessed with a surfeit of speed, enthusiasm,
energy and bravery. Moreover he was all these consistently for years. His
nickname of "Crazy Horse" was justified. His years with Liverpool
carved him into the club's history. He was 30 when he became Liverpool captain.
The trophy cabinet was usually packed: four league titles, two UEFA cups, the
FA Cup and the clubs first European Cup victory in 1977. He played for England
65 tiles (and later became captain.)
Aged
32 he left his beloved Liverpool and played for Wolves, Rotherham, Mansfield
and Swansea. After his career ended he became a well-known ever-smiling face on
television. He was decorated with the OBE for services to football and later
was a surprised guest on This Is Your Life.
Aged
56 it was announced that he was suffering from a brain tumour. Though he
underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy nothing worked and he died at
home in Sheffield aged 57 leaving a wife, son and daughter.
Here
I am at the crematorium to which is final journey was made. His funeral service
took place at Sheffield Cathedral but he was cremated at this rather bland
building. There wasn't a single person there except a security guard who
suddenly appeared. He began walking toward me though I didn't see him at first.
I was too busy pointing and saluting for the camera. I said I wasn't a burglar
and "take a photo of me if you want to" but he didn't and seemed more
interested in a stream of text messages that beeped into his phone. I did a
salute and left. Bye Emlyn.
The statues...
