Ray Clemence death: Former England and Liverpool goalkeeper dies aged 72

Clemence was one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, winning 61 caps for England a stack of trophies at Anfield including three European Cups

Ray Clemence, the former England and Liverpool goalkeeper, has died at the age of 72.

Clemence was one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation. He won three European Cups and five First Division titles at Anfield, and earned 61 caps for England. He won his third Uefa Cup and second FA Cup while at Tottenham in the latter part of his career.

The Football Association said it was “extremely saddened'' to learn of Clemence's death. 

Liverpool said: “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest-ever goalkeepers, Ray Clemence. The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ray’s family and many friends.”

An £18,000 signing from Scunthorpe by Bill Shankly, Clemence was a key member of the Liverpool team which dominated Europe between 1977 and 1981.

Clemence had brief spells managing Tottenham and then Barnet, before coaching England’s goalkeepers under managers Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and later Roy Hodgson, and worked in the FA’s Development Team. He was made an MBE in 1987.

• Read more: Tributes pour in for Ray Clemence

Ray Clemence in action for Tottenham (PA)

Clemence was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005.

“After fighting so hard, for such a long time, he’s now at peace and in no more pain," his family said in a statement. "The family would like to say a huge thank you for the love and support he’s received over the years. He was loved so much by us all and will never be forgotten.”

Ray Clemence: Career in numbers

3 - European Cup triumphs with Liverpool

5 - First Division titles won while at Anfield

16 - a then top-flight record low number of goals conceded over 42 games in the 1978/79 First Division season

61 - England caps, having shared the number one jersey with Peter Shilton

240 - league appearances for Tottenham

323 - clean sheets during his Liverpool career

336 - consecutive games played between September 9, 1972 and March 4, 1978

665 - total appearances for Liverpool before joining Tottenham in the summer of 1981

1972 - Clemence made his England debut in a World Cup qualifier against Wales in November 1972

1983 - his last England cap came during a European Championship qualifier against Luxembourg in November 1983

18,000 - the fee in pounds paid by Liverpool to sign an 18-year-old Clemence from Scunthorpe in the summer of 1967