Former Liverpool captain Ron Yeats has died at the age of 86. The defender made 454 appearances for the club over a decade, from 1961 to 1971, ranking 22nd on Liverpool’s all-time appearance list.
Yeats captained the team in more than 400 of those matches, with only Steven Gerrard having worn the armband more frequently.
Yeats secured his place in Liverpool’s history by leading the team to their first FA Cup victory in 1965, when they defeated Leeds United in the final after extra time.
The official Liverpool FC website confirmed that Yeats, affectionately known as ‘Rowdy’ by fans, passed away on Friday night after a recent struggle with Alzheimer’s.
When Bill Shankly signed Ron Yeats in 1961, Liverpool were still in the Second Division. By the end of Yeats’ first season on Merseyside, the team had achieved promotion, and they won the top-flight title just two years later.
Yeats was appointed captain within months of joining the club, a testament to his presence as highlighted by Shankly, who famously advised the press to “walk around him” at his unveiling.
After retiring as a player, Yeats returned to Anfield in 1986 as the chief scout, a role he held for 20 years, during which he identified notable talents like Sami Hyypia.
A remarkable figure both on and off the pitch, Yeats served Liverpool for 30 years and is cemented as a club legend. His legacy as Liverpool’s first FA Cup-winning captain ensures his place in the club’s storied history.
The team at Empire of the Kop extends their condolences to Ron Yeats’ family and friends during this difficult time.
