- Ablett lost his 16-month fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last night
- He was the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton
Last updated at 6:01 PM on 2nd January 2012
Former Liverpool defender Gary Ablett has died after 16-month battle with cancer
Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 46.
Ablett, the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton, lost his 16-month fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last night, the League Managers Association announced.
During his career Ablett made more than 100 appearances for each of the Merseyside clubs. He later had a long spell at Birmingham, and was manager of Stockport County during the 2009-10 season.
'On behalf of Gary Ablett's family the LMA has today confirmed that Gary passed away peacefully last night following a hard fought 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,' said an LMA statement.
'Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed.
'The LMA's thoughts and condolences are with Gary's wife Jacqueline and children.'
Ablett was a Liverpool apprentice before making his debut for the club in 1986 during current boss Kenny Dalglish's first spell in charge.
Under Dalglish, he helped a dominant side win the League title in 1988 and 1990 and the FA Cup in 1989.
During that time he played alongside BBC pundit Alan Hansen, who has said he and other players in that side are 'distraught' at the news of Ablett's death.
But he led the praise, adding: 'As soon as he stepped into the Liverpool side I knew he was top-class player.'
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After his playing career finished Ablett went into coaching. He was manager of Stockport County for the 2009/10 season
Ablett was sold to arch-rivals Everton for 750,000 in January 1992 and went on to lift the FA Cup with them in 1995 after a Wembley win over Manchester United.
Ex-Liverpool striker Ian Rush paid tribute to his former team-mate.
'Gary was a really versatile player, somebody who would play anywhere the manager asked him,' Rush told BBC Sport.
'The fact he played for both Liverpool and Everton says something about how good he was as a player.
'He summed up what Liverpool people are all about. He gave 100% to the team and my favourite memory of him was after the 1989 FA Cup final - he was so proud to win something for the team.
'Off the pitch, he was the perfect gentleman. He had a lovely family, which he brought up really well, and he was such a respectable person. If he could help you with anything, he would.'
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who gave Ablett his debut during his first spell as Reds boss, offered his condolences.
'It's a sad, sad day for his family and everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club,' he told liverpoolfc.tv.
Gary Ablett (front) and Kenny Dalglish arrive with their partners at a mass for the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989
'The most important thing just now is to pay our respects to Gary, his wife Jacqueline, the two boys and his wee girl.
'Obviously he had a long battle and I'm sure it was a lot of suffering and a lot of pain for him but the only thing you can say is at least he won't be suffering any longer.
'I gave Gary his debut and remember him scoring on his first start at Anfield against Nottingham Forest.
'He was a really good servant to the football club not only as a player, but also as reserve team coach.
'He served the club proudly and credibly. It's very sad for everybody.'
Everton manager David Moyes added his tribute, telling evertonfc.com: 'It is so, so sad about Gary.
'He was a regular visitor here to Finch Farm over the last six months and he was a lovely man, well liked by everyone.
'My thoughts are with all his family at this terrible time.'
ABLETT'S CAREER
Liverpool (1983-92) 147 appearances, 1 goal
Honours: First Division title 1987-88, 1989-90
FA Cup winner 1989
FA Charity Shield winner 1988, 1989, 1990 (shared)
Derby (1985 loan) 8 appearances
Hull (1986-7 loan) 5 appearances
Everton (1992-96) 156 appearances, 6 goals
Honours: FA Cup winner 1995
Charity Shield winner 1995
Sheff Utd (1996 loan) 12 appearances
Birmingham (1996-99) 124 appearances, 2 goals
Wycombe (1999 loan) 4 appearances
Blackpool (2000) 12 appearances, 1 goal
After a loan spell at Sheffield United, he joined Birmingham in 1996 and went on to make 104 appearances there.
After short spells at Wycombe and Blackpool, Ablett finished his playing career at Long Island Rough Riders in the American A-League in 2001.Ablett made 147 appearances for Liverpool and 156 for Everton.
'Liverpool Football Club were today saddened to learn of the death of former player Gary Ablett,' said a statement from the Reds.
'The staff of Liverpool FC would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Gary.'
A statement from Everton said: 'Everyone at Everton was saddened to learn of the death of Gary Ablett.
'The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with Gary's family and friends at this tragic time.'
In 2002, he moved into coaching, working with Everton's youth academy until 2006 when he took over as Liverpool reserve team coach.
He became Stockport manager in July 2009 and steered the club through a difficult season in which they were in administration and were relegated to League Two. He left after a change of ownership.
Ablett took up a coaching role with Ipswich in July 2010 but was taken ill while at the club's training ground and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
In October Ablett spoke of the shock at being diagnosed with the disease.
'Jacqueline took one look at me and took me straight to the doctors,' he said in an interview with Everton's official website to support Blue September - a campaign to raise awareness of forms of cancer specifically affecting men.
'The following day they whisked me to Ipswich hospital and the sister asked us if we knew why we were there.
'We said "for tests" but she told us they had found a really aggressive lymphoma and that without immediate treatment I'd be in serious trouble.
'From diagnosis to that first session of chemotherapy was less than three days, so it was a massive shock.'
Gary Ablett (left) celebrates winning the FA Cup in 1995 with his Everton teammates.
Ablett (right) and Barry Venison with the First Division trophy after winning the league in 1990
Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans said: 'It's a big shock. Obviously we know Gary's been ill for a while. It's a really sad day.'
Recalling Ablett as a player, Evans added: 'He was good at everything he did as a player.
'He went into coaching and stamped his personality onto that and was doing a very good job, certainly at youth level. I remember he had bit of a difficult first spell at Stockport, but overall he's had a great career in football, he's a big loss to the sport.
'He made a big contribution to the game.'
Former club Birmingham have announced a minute's silence will be observed before their npower Championship match at Peterborough today with another held at St Andrew's on Saturday prior to their FA Cup third round tie with Wolves.
'The thoughts of everyone connected with Birmingham City Football Club are with the friends and family of Gary Ablett,' said a Blues statement.
'Just like he battled as a fierce competitor on the pitch, Ablett fought non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for over year before passing away peacefully last night.
'Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Gary's wife Jacqueline and his children and everyone else that knew him.'
Ipswich's players will wear black armbands for this afternoon's visit of Nottingham Forest and Ablett will be honoured with a minute's applause.
'It's desperately sad news,' Town chief executive Simon Clegg told itfc.co.uk.
'I stayed in touch with Gary as he battled his illness over 18 months, which he did with bravery and dignity and our thoughts go out to his wife Jacqueline and their children at this very difficult time.'
LIVERPOOL LEGENDS LEAD TRIBUTES FOR ABLETT
Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen has led the tributes to a 'great' team-mate, whose death has left him and several other members of the 1980s squad 'distraught'.
'He was a lovely guy and he was quite unassuming and everyone loved him,' said the ex-Scotland international. 'It is such a shock even though we knew he was ill. I texted him on December 7 to go and see him and have a cup of tea and he texted back to say he had a doctor's appointment but wished me a merry Christmas and said he would see me in the new year.
'Then we get the news this morning and we are absolutely stunned and cannot believe this has happened.
'He came into the dressing room when Liverpool had one of the great teams and he was right in there because he was a top-class player as well,' he told Radio 5 Live.
'He was a dedicated, consummate professional but he was right at the top of the tree.'
David Fairclough, who played for Liverpool between 1974 and 1983, said: 'He was a lovely lad, he always conducted himself in the right way. He was great with people, always personable. What always came through with Gary was his attitude was just always very, very right.'
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who became Stockport manager in 2011 a year after Ablett left the post, said on Sky Sports News: 'It's devastating news. He's a very highly regarded and respected man on Merseyside and a true legend.'
Paul Walsh, who played alongside Ablett at Liverpool in the 1980s, described the news of Ablett's death as 'absolutely tragic'.
He said: ''I'm absolutely stunned at the news, I knew he wasn't well, but 46 years of age is absolutely tragic.'
'He was was a hell of a nice person. He was a top lad. Just wanted to get in there and do well, didn't do anything fancy but a great pro who trained hard with a great attitude to everything he did.
'There was also a steely determination about Gary. You don't get in the Liverpool team and come through the ranks at Liverpool and play 100 times for them if you haven't got that little bit of steel.'
Michael Owen said on his Twitter account: 'So sad to hear the news that Gary Ablett has passed away today aged 46. He played for some great clubs and had a career to be proud of. RIP.'
Robbie Fowler tweeted: 'Really sad news regarding Gary Ablett,Deepest sympathy to all his family,was an absolute gentleman and will be missed by many.Rest in peace pal.'
As an Everton fan we appreciate true honest professionals who give everything every game. He was one of them. You have to work for a living at Everton and he was well resspected for it. RIP Gary.
- ripped hunk, watford, 02/1/2012 17:57
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