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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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Sparkerino added 12:41 - Jul 10
Remember when he scored a hatrick against Man U in that 6 nil win in 1980? What a game we had that day. What a game he had
3

TomNorway added 12:50 - Jul 10
His arrivalin 1976 took an already good team to another level. They don't make players like him anymore. A very sad day. RIP - my hero.
3

Grandpa added 12:56 - Jul 10
My favourite player when I was a kid & one of the main reasons I became an Ipswich fan, & definitely the reason I had the hairstyle I did!
RIP Paul
Best tribute is this quote from Sir Bobby...
"I was lucky to work with great strikers all over the world, Lineker, Romario, Ronaldo, van Nistelrooy, Shearer, Figo and Paul Mariner at Ipswich."
Sir Bobby Robson
4

bluesince76 added 13:13 - Jul 10
My favourite Ipswich player growing up sad news rip.
1

TimmyH added 13:17 - Jul 10
First game my dad took me to was the 7-0 drubbing of WBA (couldn't have picked a better game) in 1976 Mariners 1st season, he scored a corker in the second half! Great memories.
3

parhamblue added 13:20 - Jul 10
A lovely guy off the pitch and a fantastic footballer on it. I was privileged to watch him play from the 7-0 demolition of WBA in 1976, our wonderful team of the 80s, those European nights, and not forgetting some superb performances for England. Paul's family must be very proud of him at this sad time.
1

arc added 13:22 - Jul 10
I'm just devastated by this. One of my heroes growing up. Such a good player. Remember that debut goal against West Brom, when we're all thinking "what's this lad like then?" and he just brings the ball forward twenty yards and smacks it in the roof of the net from 25 yards? Not sure he ever did that again! It's been funny to have him in my life in the last few years through Twitter–what a lovely bloke.

My condolences to all his friends and family.
2

Gforce added 13:49 - Jul 10
So shocked and saddened to hear the news of our legend Paul Mariners passing.
I was privileged to see him play for the Town on many occasions.I remember in the mid seventies,on watching his debut,both my dad and I agreeing that he would go on to play for England in the near future.What a game he had that day.
Rip Paul,definitely our best number 9 ever,a true legend and hero.
1

Bluewelshman added 13:50 - Jul 10
R.I.P. Paul
0

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 13:59 - Jul 10
Great player. RIP.
1

braveblue added 14:08 - Jul 10
RIP. Real Ipswich legend.
1

BlueBoots added 14:20 - Jul 10
We had a team full of heroes when I was a kid, but he was my hero; could have chosen any of them, but always wanted to be Paul Mariner when it was time for a kickabout in the school playground. RIP, and thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.
2

Taricco_Fan added 15:33 - Jul 10
He was before my time as a supporter but I've watched the old footage and listened to my dad speak so highly of him. Mariner was clearly one of the best to pull on the blue shirt and was highly-respected in the wider game right to the end.

RIP.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 15:37 - Jul 10
very sad to hear this, one of our true legends, and a gentleman RIP Paul .
2

algarvefan added 15:47 - Jul 10
What can you say at a time like this? Gutted. Grew up watching the team of the 70's and what a magnificent forward he was, especially with Trevor Whymark. A gifted forward for his country too and seemed such a nice guy. 68 is no age these days, only 4 years older than me, God bless PM and thank you for the years of enjoyment watching you and the Town play. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues. Sleep tight Paul.
2

BotesdaleBlue added 16:11 - Jul 10
I am so saddened to hear this news. He is, and will surely remain, my all time favourite Town player. Rest in peace you special man.
2

Brazils_Hair added 17:52 - Jul 10
Devastating news. Can't believe he's gone. As a child he was a proper hero of mine and I worshipped the ground he walked on. As we get older and see the old guard pass away it reminds us of our own mortality. They seemed better days. Simpler days. Men were men and football was about football and not money. Thanks for everything Paul. A proper legend who deserves to rest in peace among the greats.
1

istanblue added 17:54 - Jul 10
Probably our greatest ever striker and a true legend of ITFC. RIP Paul.
1

midastouch added 18:45 - Jul 10
It says here on Twitter:


@markpougatch
Desperately sad news this weekend. Lucky enough to have known Paul & what a lovely man he was. His goal took England to the 82 World Cup. We will pay tribute on our Final preview show tonight 10.55 @ITV. #RIPMarrers
2

BlueSwede added 18:46 - Jul 10
Best centreforward to ever wear the blue shirt. And the first ever player who sent a teenager from Sweden a letter with his autograph and answers to a few questions I sent. Very sad to hear the need. R.I.P.
2

waldenblue7 added 19:58 - Jul 10
Devastated to hear this morning. As a young boy this old fashioned number nine became my footballing idol. I'll never forget his goals, braveness and all round hold play for Ipswich & England.
RIP Paul, never forgotten x
0

Mariner1974 added 21:33 - Jul 10
My childhood hero and favourite Number 9 of All Time.

This man made me fall in love with football.

Spent the 70's & 80's listening to heavy rock on his cassette car stereo and scoring a trunk load of goals for Ipswich & England.

A true Legend - Paul Mariner
0

Yorkshire_Townie added 11:03 - Jul 11
MY hero as a child/young man - I was upset when he left the club in 1984 and devastated to hear this yesterday afternoon. Shed a tear yesterday for this true star at Portman Rd. His posters were on my bedroom walls & I'd snaffle up anything with picture on/in - Shoot, newspapers, the lot. If Johnson(s) were the king of portman rd, what was Paul Mariner- the Emperor?!?! Star amongst stars. Shearer? not as good as Paul in the air. Think sheerah combined with Andy Carroll & you'll be close to it. What a player. What a man. Loved you Paul Mariner RIP
0

IpswGirl added 20:03 - Jul 20
So sad news he was a best striker for us
0


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