Newz Forum: SOCCER: Emlyn 'Crazy Horse' Hughes dies

Former Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes died today from a brain tumor. Hughes aged 57 had been battling the illness for the last 15 months but deteriorated in the last few days.


Hughes was one of the most successful English footballers of his generation and was a fixture for both Liverpool and England during the 1970s. Everton fans nicknamed him 'Crazy Horse' because of long-legged style, non-stop running and unbridled passion. Hughes made 657 appearances for the Reds after he was signed by Bill Shankly for 65,000 from Blackpool in 1967. He won two European Cups, two UEFA Cups, four league titles and one FA Cup during his time at Anfield. He managed to get a full set of domestic trophies by winning the League Cup in 1980 with Wolves, having joined the Black Country club for 90,000 in 1979. Hughes won his first cap for England in 1970, then made a total of 62 appearances for his country, 23 as captain, his last coming in 1980. Hughes' only regret was that his international career coincided with the leanest period in England's history and he never appeared at a major tournament.

He was awarded the OBE for his services to sport in 1980. His fame spread with his regular appearances as a team captain on BBC quiz show A Question of Sport.

Phil Neal was a club colleague of Hughes at Anfield and he paid tribute to the former England captain on Sky Sports News.

"He was special to us all," Neal said. "The Crazy Horse will be missed.

"His effervescent character and will to win every game rubbed off on all of us. He was a magnificent captain not just for Liverpool but England as well and we should never forget that.

"When I first came to Liverpool in 1974, he settled me in. He was effervescent and he was a great leader.

"He loved his Shanks (Bill Shankly) and missed him dearly. The pair of them had similar characteristics.

"His will to win, even in difficult circumstances away from home, with Emlyn around telling you that you could win, we often did.

"Nobody was more a winner than Emlyn.

"He had great support from Barbara and the kids and we have to send our condolences to his family, who will be suffering dearly. It will take us all a long while to get over the loss of Crazy Horse.

"He was always bubbly and sparking and in all the time I have known him, he was never down.

"He was always effervescent and looking forward and it is so sad that he was made to battle at the end of his short life."

Liverpool will pay their respects to Hughes by holding a minute's silence before their Carling Cup clash with Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.

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Came right out the blue as well.

Look out for Dean Richards, might go the same way.

Yeah Hughes was a great footballer and it will be a big loss.

Yea the Dean Richards thing is a bit of a shock.