Ian St John given one final Anfield farewell as coffin of Liverpool legend makes emotional stop-off at the statue of his former manager Bill Shankly outside the Kop end of historic stadium
- The funeral of Liverpool legend former striker Ian St John took place on Tuesday
- As part of the procession the coffin of St John stopped off at Anfield stadium
- Hearse brought St John to the Kop end in front of Bill Shankly’s statue
- The Scottish star scored 118 goals during his 425 appearances for the club
Liverpool legend Ian St John was given one final, emotional Anfield farewell on Tuesday after the hearse carrying his coffin stopped off at the famous stadium where he was so revered.
Ahead of the funeral of the former Scotland international, who died at the age of 82 in early March, a special stop-off was arranged in order for a select group of people to pay final respects.
St John’s coffin, draped in Liverpool colours and adorned with roses, made its way into the grounds of Anfield and passed by legends of the club including Sir Kenny Dalglish, who turned out to say goodbye.
The coffin of Ian St John made a visit to Anfield before the football legend’s funeral on Tuesday
The hearse entered the Anfield grounds (left) and drove up to the stadium on Tuesday
St John’s coffin was draped in Liverpool red and carried the names of his former team-mates
A message from Liverpool football club was seen among the flowers for St John
A wreath was laid at the foot of the statue of St John’s former manager Bill Shankly at Anfield
Making its way up to the stadium walls, the hearse then came to a brief rest at the foot of the statue of Bill Shankly, who managed St John during his silverware-laden Liverpool days.
A wreath was then placed at the foot of the statue, before the vehicle made its exit through the famous Paisley gates and St John left Anfield for the last time.
St John made 425 appearances for the club over the course of a hugely successful decade between 1961 and 1971, scoring 118 goals.
Dalglish had led the tributes to his friend St John following his passing, labelling him an ‘icon’ for the football club.
St John was a much loved former Liverpool star and goes down as an Anfield all-time great
After the brief stop-off the coffin then left Anfield under the famous Paisley gates
‘I think it’s right to use the word ‘icon’,’ said Dalglish.
‘It’s because of what he did in those early days, Shanks especially, the Saint and Big Yeatsey (Ron Yeats), his big mucker, and it’s because of them this football club is where it is at this particular moment in time.
‘We should be eternally grateful for what he did for the club.’
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to ‘a true legend’ and told the club’s official website it had been an honour to meet St John.
‘He was not only football-wise a legend, but a true legend as a person. It was a pure pleasure to meet him,’ Klopp said.
St John (pictured at Anfield in March 2014) died at the age of 82 after a short battle with illness
St John scored the winner to hand Liverpool their first FA Cup title against Leeds in 1965
After retiring, St John forged a popular TV partnership with England legend Jimmy Greaves
Klopp added: ‘I feel really honoured to have met him and when I heard the news today, I was devastated. All my prayers go to his family and I know he is in a better place as well.
‘I am really, really happy I had the opportunity to meet him.’
The Scottish forward won two First Division titles under Shankly at Anfield in 1963-64 and 1965-66 and scored the winner in the 1965 FA Cup final.
He also represented Scotland 26 times and would later go on to manage boyhood club Motherwell, as well as Portsmouth. Following football he went on to forge a hugely successful TV career with fellow former pro Jimmy Greaves.
