Blues Legend Mariner Dies
Saturday, 10th Jul 2021 09:05 Town legend Paul Mariner has died aged 68, his family has announced.
In a statement, they said the former striker “passed away peacefully on 9th July surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with brain cancer”.
Bolton-born Mariner joined the Blues from Plymouth in 1976 for a fee of £220,000 with John Peddelty and Terry Austin moving in the opposite direction.
The centre-forward went on to become a key man in Sir Bobby’s Robson’s teams which won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981.
An England regular throughout his time with the Blues, Mariner won 35 caps and scored 13 times, including the goal which saw England qualify for the 1982 World Cup via a 1-0 victory over Hungary at Wembley.
He left Town for Arsenal for a fee of February 1984 for £150,000 having made 339 appearances and scored 135 goals. In 2011 he was inducted into the Town Hall of Fame.
Prior to his time at Plymouth, Mariner had started his career at Chorley in non-league. Following his spell with Arsenal, he spent time at Portsmouth, Wollongong City, Albany Capitals and San Francisco Bay.
After hanging up his boots, he worked as a pundit for BBC Radio Lancashire, then spent most of the next few years coaching in the US where he worked in Arizona and then at Harvard before a five-year spell as assistant manager at the New England Revolution.
He returned to the UK to manage Plymouth in 2009/10 and was given a rapturous welcome by Town fans on his return to Portman Road.
A stint in charge of Toronto FC in Canada followed in 2012/13 followed before he spent time working as a pundit in the US while based in Boston.
In November it emerged that Mariner had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour.
Town CEO Mark Ashton led the tributes to a player many believe was the best striker ever to represent the club.
“It’s incredibly sad news and the thoughts of everyone at the club are with Paul's family and friends at this very difficult time,” Ashton told the club site.
Town are set to wear black armbands at this afternoon’s friendly at Dartford as a mark of respect.
Photo: Action Images
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ElephantintheRoom added 09:29 - Jul 10
I remember the first time I saw him play for Town in a friendly at Celtic in 1976 - I was living in Scotland at the time and was deeply suspicious of how Ipswich could replace David Johnson. Strange experience as urchins were pushing in through the turnstiles to get in free as evey adult went in - and the jimmies were a fairly hostile crowd for a friendly. Mariner scored, as did Whymark and I went home happy. I think he deserves a bit more respect than a bunch of strangers wearing black armbands at Dartford - but I guess it sums up how far the club have plummeted since his days |  | |
cressi added 09:30 - Jul 10
Very sad not the headline any Town fans wanted to see a top player in one of our greatest teams. RIP paul | | |
ihatecanaries added 09:31 - Jul 10
Very sad news, a true legend who was simply the best. As kids I used to play footy down the park with my brothers, we chose our favourite players who we would pretend to be, I was always Mariner. How Itfc could do with a striker like him now. | | |
LonE17Blue added 09:31 - Jul 10
Tears in my eyes!
RIP Paul. | | |
cooper442 added 09:31 - Jul 10
A true boyhood hero of mine..simply one of our best ever players ...Will never forget him .. | | |
cressi added 09:32 - Jul 10
Very sad not the headline any Town fans wanted to see a top player in one of our greatest teams. RIP paul | | |
abandon_hope1978 added 09:32 - Jul 10
Devastating news.
Was privileged to see him playing during our glory days. Met him on numerous occasions and he was a legend as both player and a person. A true old fashioned number 9 that would have got into any when he was playing for Town.
If we had a 9 as half as good we'd be back in the Premier league in 3 years easy.
RIP Paul. | | |
ArnieM added 09:32 - Jul 10
RIP Paul 💙
“ I'd walk a million miles for one of your goals, Paul Mariner!” |  | |
Gilesy added 09:33 - Jul 10
What awful news. Thanks Paul! | | |
DebsyAngel added 09:33 - Jul 10
Extremely sad news and in shock here. A Town legend, one of my favourite childhood players. RIP Paul, and condolences to his family and friends. |  | |
Saxonblue74 added 09:34 - Jul 10
Sad news indeed, a true legend on and off the pitch. Come on England, do it for one of your own! | | |
pauldart added 09:34 - Jul 10
Such sad news. I had the privilege to watch him at Argyle before his big move to Town, a true legend in every sense. Many happy memories of his goals and big moments for us. Hope that the club will mark his legendary status with the fans appropriately | | |
cressi added 09:35 - Jul 10
Great player sad day immense player on his day unplayable RIP all our thoughts with you and your loved ones | | |
PackwoodBlue added 09:35 - Jul 10
Boyhood hero. Another small piece of my heart broke today. RIP Legend. | | |
KDB1981 added 09:36 - Jul 10
Our best ever No.9.A true legend.Saw him play many times and in one match against against our friends from up the road Paul hit the crossbar so hard with a shot that the ball had to be changed.Thanks for the many memories Paul.RIP. | | |
PackwoodBlue added 09:37 - Jul 10
Boyhood hero. Another small piece of my heart broke today. Love and condolences to his family and friends. RIP Legend. | | |
chepstowblue added 09:38 - Jul 10
Such sad news.What a glorious time that was to be a Town fan. Having just reached my early teens in the late 70s early 80's I'd strut into school on a Monday morning with chest puffed out as we'd no doubt dismantled somebody that weekend. RIP great man. It's time for a few hrs on youtube reminiscing. | | |
midastouch added 09:38 - Jul 10
That's awful news to wake up to. Paul was one of my favourite players as a kid. He'll live on forever in our memories though. Condolences to his family. |  | |
cat added 09:38 - Jul 10
Very sad news, he made his legacy and what more can you achieve in life. True legend. |  | |
grumpyoldman added 09:40 - Jul 10
Shocked this morning. A true legend, described by the Sky presenter as a “true gentleman”. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time. | | |
blueboy1981 added 09:41 - Jul 10
R.I.P Paul. A True Blue LEGEND.
Many Great Memories - Never Forgotten.
Thoughts with Family and Friends. | | |
timkatieadamitfc added 09:41 - Jul 10
R I P Paul, outstanding player and TRUE itfc player, thoughts with family and friends, sad sad day. | | |
itfchorry added 09:42 - Jul 10
I'm in totally devastated - He will always be
My Hero -
I'd walk a million miles just for one of your goals
- Paul Mariner | | |
Roo added 09:48 - Jul 10
Despite not living in Suffolk or anywhere near, the guys that represented town in that 78 final are the reason I have supported Ipswich to this day and always will. Paul Mariner was one the very best amongst a team of greats. He was the player I always imagined myself as, scoring the goals in the park between those jumpers as goalposts. Really so very sad he has passed away but as we get older we learn to reflect on the good times at moments like these and Paul gave us so many… what a player! RIP Paul - one of my sporting hero's from the good old days when football was my everything. |  | |
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