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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trncbluearmy added 10:46 - Jul 10
Thank you Paul
Everybody wanted to be Paul Mariner on the school playground
The goal against wba on your home debut, witnessed from the Northstand, is simply unforgetable
Rest Well PM |  | |
tractorman9 added 10:46 - Jul 10
Very upsetting news, childhood hero in the great Town sides. Always and forever an ITFC legend unforgotten RIP |  | |
ImAbeliever added 10:51 - Jul 10
Rock On Paul, in peace.
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blueprint added 10:53 - Jul 10
My childhood hero, the player I pretended to be in the playground. Legend. |  | |
heathen66 added 10:54 - Jul 10
I'd walk a million miles just for one of your goals....Paul Mariner...ooohhh...Mariner !!!
True LEGEND !!! |  | |
ashp19 added 10:57 - Jul 10
Thank you for the memories Paul! | | |
Oldboy added 11:01 - Jul 10
What a fantastic player. Always put his all into every game. A role model for anyone. I will miss you great man. At peace now. Say hi to kev, Alf and Bobby. Enjoy the game tomorrow. RIP Legand.xx |  | |
cranky_old_tractor added 11:01 - Jul 10
Class striker and absolute legend. Part of the magic Robson era when I found my love for ITFC.....RIP | | |
Juggsy added 11:04 - Jul 10
Truly gutted, RIP Paul. Certainly my favourite ever Town player, was an absolute beast.
Surely we have room for another statue? |  | |
Orraman added 11:06 - Jul 10
Paul really was a legend in the history of ITFC. Has to be in the top ten centre forwards of all time. Strong, aggressive and non stop running dominates my thoughts as I recall many of these wonderful games in the late 70's/early 80's. What would a player of his stature be worth today. This news has really taken the shine of what was building up to an exciting weekend. Respects to all his family and close friends
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TexacoCup added 11:12 - Jul 10
sad news indeed, a real legend, so many memories |  | |
Buryblue78 added 11:15 - Jul 10
Devastating news to hear the premature passing of Paul Mariner
Thoughts are with his family and friends
Scored the only goal at my first live town match against the mighty Liverpool at PR if think in 1979 if memory serves
It was used on the start of match of the week for several years to follow and started my lifelong love affair with Ipswich Town FC
A true legend has passed RIP
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shakytown added 11:27 - Jul 10
Absolute class as a player and as a person by the sounds of people who new are saying. RIP with the other legends Paul. | | |
WeWereZombies added 11:36 - Jul 10
Only 68, far too soon.
As long as there are Town fans alive from the 1970s and 1980s Paul Mariner will be remembered. |  | |
runaround added 11:40 - Jul 10
RIP PM ðŸ˜
My first real football hero.
I feel very privileged to have seen you play even if only a handful of times
Cmon England do it for Paul Mariner tomorrow night |  | |
Monkey_Blue added 11:45 - Jul 10
Was always Mariner in the playground when I scored. Didn't always go down that well in Nottingham but he was one of my first football heroes. Very sad and I hope the club in conjunction with the fans do something appropriate to honour him permanently. |  | |
Bluearmy71 added 11:52 - Jul 10
In a world where the word LEGEND is so misused and given out daily to the totally undeserving Paul Mariner earned the accolade LEGEND in the truest sense of the the word, to do or help do something so impactful it can never be forgotten and what he did as a player for Ipswich was miraculous and meant so much to us all that's why I sit hear typing with tears running down my face!!
Everyone who has commented sums up the feeling so well I agree with all other Town fans my condolences to his family and friends at this tragic time.
R.I.P Paul Mariner Ipswich Town legend, one of the best strikers ever and one of my hero's. |  | |
Nobbysnuts added 11:54 - Jul 10
What a truly sad day for itfc....a true legend. Rip Paul.. one of the greatest players to pull on the famous blue shirt. You will live on in our memories. |  | |
Epiphone added 11:56 - Jul 10
So sad to read this news.An all time personal favourite,he truly struck fear into to the hearts of opponents but underneath you could tell he was a lovely guy.Condolences to his family and friends.
Rest in Peace you Star! |  | |
gosblue added 12:14 - Jul 10
Good feet, a great header of the ball, he seemed to hang in the air forever. We haven't seen the like since. Those were the days. God bless you Paul and all your family. | | |
happybeingblue added 12:18 - Jul 10
'we'll take more care of you Mariner Mariner' this was a song for Paul sang at portman rd it was the theme from British airways at that time, i remember how he used to look up to the churchmans stand from corners and get us going. what a player he was, a very sad day. An Ipswich and England great. RIP you wonderful man. |  | |
bobbyramsey added 12:21 - Jul 10
Tragic loss.
RIP Paul... |  | |
dubblue added 12:29 - Jul 10
An absolute legend. RIP Paul. |  | |
Sparkerino added 12:33 - Jul 10
"I'd walk a million miles for one of your goals, Paul MAAARiner". I still would | | |
Upthetown1970 added 12:41 - Jul 10
RIP legend. It was a privilege to watch you play. 🙠| | |
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