John Wark has paid tribute to his friend and team-mate Paul Mariner, whose death was announced earlier today.

“I have seen Paul over recent weeks and it’s been hard and then when the news came through, it’s tough to take,” Wark told the club site.

“Obviously my thoughts are with his family and what they are going through and it’s difficult to talk about it at the moment.

“He was my best mate. As a footballer he was unbelievable. He came into the club and made a difference immediately.

“He could hold the ball up, scores goals. He’d take all the knocks for us. He made us a better team - and he helped me so much as well.

“As a person, he was even better than he was as a player and that is saying something. Bobby [Robson] put us together as room-mates and it just went boom from there.

“He was so bubbly. He was the loud one in the dressing-room, the one that got everyone going. The boys loved him, we all did.

“He called me his ‘brother’. That’s how close we were and we stayed in touch, even when he went to America. I can’t speak highly enough of him as a footballer but even more so as a person.”

Photo: TWTD

midastouch added 12:50 - Jul 10 A legend still with us speaks from the heart about a legend sadly no longer with us. Classy words from John. John said, "The boys loved him, we all did." And so did all the fans. RIP Paul.
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Sir_Bob added 12:51 - Jul 10 With every story brings another tear to the eye. Great words. RIP Big Man xx
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Sivell added 12:57 - Jul 10 Warky is clearly and understandably struggling with this news, which really brings it home, what a loss this is to everyone. Very powerful words. John Wark is a lovely man himself, so for him to speak in such terms about this true Ipswich legend, really hits hard.
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brassy added 13:00 - Jul 10 just think how lucky i was to watch this team week in week out R.I.P. paul town legend
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TimmyH added 13:07 - Jul 10 These were 'legends' for the club ladies and gentlemen - that word is too easily bounded around, feel sad at his passing and yes it feels like time is passing by.
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Churchman added 13:47 - Jul 10 Class. My front room is suddenly very dusty reading that.
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Monkey_Blue added 14:02 - Jul 10 Not the first or the last tribute that's brought a tear to my eye today. I remember most him practically falling over the ball to qualify us for the World Cup and racing home from school to see the France game where he scored, Mills captained and Butch got an assist. Those were great times and he was central to it. 🥲
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atty added 14:43 - Jul 10 Midastouch - apologies ham fisted. As you say one legend about another. That team eh! So many legends, characters, leaders, and of course great players. Paul was up there with the very best. RIP Paul.
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Lightningboy added 14:49 - Jul 10 Rip Paul. Like so many,he was my first footballing hero. Those truly were the days. AFC Heaven now has a proper centre forward. 💙
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ipswichske added 15:16 - Jul 10 As an Ipswich fan from Belgium I normally never write anything in this forum. But for Paul I have to make an exception. I became a fan through the FA Cup final of 1977. Then the only game from England to be shown on TV in Belgium. Fortunately, from 1978, because of Arnold and Frank there was a summary of the Ipswich match on Dutch TV every Saturday evening. Me and my best friend never got to see our heroes Paul and John live until one morning in 1981 the newspaper reported that Ipswich is playing a friendly match in Berchem near Antwerp. We go there by train without asking our parents because they would have refused. We had to leave 15 minutes before the end to catch the last train. When we got home, our anxious parents were waiting for us. They were furious and we got a serious punishment. We accept that punishment with a smile because we had taken the only chance to see our heroes Paul and John live. Paul thank you for this unforgettable memory and RIP Because it is not possible to come to Ipswich on August 7 due to the corona rules. Please give Paul the applause he deserves.

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Tufty added 15:23 - Jul 10 I will be there on August 7th and I will clap extra hard for you and me ipswichske. He was worth any journey and parental scolding to watch him play. How many players would you actually go to a match just to see them play today. I'd walk a million miles for one of your goals Paul Mariner. Rest easy
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TractorBeezer added 15:51 - Jul 10 A hero and legend who was taken too early. Thankfully Paul is now pain free and looking down at us. My sincere condolences to Paul's family and freinds.
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Bert added 15:51 - Jul 10 Today's youngsters will never know how good Mariner and Wark were. Add Bobby Robson to that and we were truly fortunate to witness a team and a manager who brought tears of joy to those who crammed into Portman Road.
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algarvefan added 15:57 - Jul 10 I don't think any of us at the time realised how great the mariner years were, what a band of brothers, many who have stayed close friends from the bonds they shared. I had a tear this morning when I heard the news I'll admit, the news was a shock. I just hope that England win tomorrow night for him, that would be a fitting tribute to a classy England striker of the past. My thoughts are not only with his family but with John Wark too, he must be devastated. RIP Paul.

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Crinkle59 added 16:33 - Jul 10 Paul Mariner was just CLASS ,on and off the field. all that needs to be said
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midastouch added 18:45 - Jul 10 It says here on Twitter: 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 https://t.co/ELlCK2yTpY — Mark Pougatch (@markpougatch) July 10, 2021 @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

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BuckieBlue added 19:33 - Jul 10 Every time a member of those great sides from '76-81 leaves us it brings back memories of how brilliant a history they created for us to look back on. Blessings to his family. Our tributes are letting them know how much we all appreciated Paul.
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filobiz added 22:39 - Jul 10 very sad news. he was my hero when i was a lad! God bless x
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DerryfromBury added 18:57 - Jul 12 Condolences to the family and friends. Very sad news. The name Paul Mariner will be synonymies with ITFC long after his sad passing and quite rightly so.
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