Tributes flow for ‘top lad’ Ablett

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett who has died from cancer at the age of 46.

Ablett lost his battle against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma on New Year’s day.

Former team-mate Paul Walsh, who played alongside Ablett at Liverpool in the 1980s, describing the news as “absolutely tragic”.

“I’m absolutely stunned at the news. He was a hell of a nice person. He was a top lad,” he said.

“He didn’t do anything fancy but was a great pro who trained hard with a great attitude to everything he did. There was also a steely determination about Gary. You don’t get in the Liverpool team and come through the ranks at Liverpool and play 100 times for them if you haven’t got that little bit of steel.”

Ablett, the only player to win the FA Cup with both Merseyside clubs, also went on to play for Birmingham, Wycombe, Blackpool and the American side Long Island Rough Riders before turning to coaching.

He spent some time with Everton’s youth set-up before replacing Paco Herrera as the coach of Liverpool reserves, where he won both the Premier Reserve League North and also the national title in 2008.

Ablett left Liverpool a year later and was appointed Stockport manager at a difficult time for the club – they were in administration – and left after a season following a change of ownership.

Roy Evans said: “He was good at everything he did as a player. He went into coaching and stamped his personality on to that and was doing a very good job, certainly at youth level.

Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who became Stockport manager in 2011 a year after Ablett left the post, said: “It’s devastating news. He’s a very highly regarded and respected man on Merseyside and a true legend.”

In October Ablett spoke of the shock at being diagnosed with the disease.

“Jacqueline [his wife] took one look at me and took me straight to the doctor,” he said in an interview with Everton’s website to support Blue September.

“The following day they whisked me to Ipswich hospital and the sister asked us if we knew why we were there

“We said ‘for tests’ but she told us they had found a really aggressive lymphoma and that without immediate treatment I’d be in serious trouble.”

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who gave Ablett his debut during his first spell as Reds boss, offered his condolences.

“It’s a sad, sad day for his family and everyone connected with Liverpool FC,” he said.

“The most important thing just now is to pay our respects to Gary, his wife Jacqueline, the two boys and his wee girl. I’m sure it was a lot of suffering and a lot of pain for him but the only thing you can say is at least he won’t be suffering any longer.