Former Liverpool and England striker Roger Hunt has died at the age of 83. Known as ‘Sir Roger’ to Liverpool fans, Hunt was part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning side and is the club’s record league scorer with 244 goals.
The forward won 34 England caps, scoring 18 international goals after making his debut in 1962 when Liverpool were in English football’s second tier. Hunt played in every game of the 1966 World Cup and scored three times to help England out of their group. “Roger Hunt comes second to no-one in his importance in the history of Liverpool FC, that much is clear,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Born in Golborne, Cheshire, on 20 July 1938, Hunt signed for Liverpool in 1958 and made his 492nd and final appearance for the club in 1969, by which time fans had christened him ‘Sir Roger’. Under legendary manager Bill Shankly he helped the club out of the Second Division in 1962 by scoring 41 goals in as many games.
Liverpool then won the First Division in 1964 and 1966 either side of a first FA Cup win in 1965. While it is his 11 years with Liverpool for which he is best known, Hunt also had a successful three seasons with Bolton Wanderers after leaving Anfield in 1969.