Football world in mourning after death of World Cup hero Roger Hunt

The football world is mourning the death of England World Cup hero Roger Hunt.

The World Cup winner and Liverpool's record league goalscorer died at the age of 83, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

BRUTAL: Aussie legend Harry Kewell axed by fifth-tier club

'WHAT A DISGRACE': Football world rages over Cristiano Ronaldo drama

Hunt played in the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany at Wembley, which England won 4-2 for their lone World Cup triumph.

He scored an unsurpassed 244 league goals for the Reds.

"We are mourning the passing of legendary former player Roger Hunt," the club said in a statement posted on their official Twitter account.

"The thoughts of everybody at Liverpool Football Club are with Roger's family and friends at this sad and difficult time. Rest in peace, Sir Roger Hunt 1938 - 2021."

Hunt joined Liverpool, then a tier-two team, as a 20-year-old in 1958 and played his last game for the club in 1969.

He then played for Bolton Wanderers for three seasons before retiring.

The forward's overall Liverpool record of 285 goals was broken by Ian Rush in 1992, but no-one has scored more league goals for the club.

Known as 'Sir Roger' to Liverpool fans despite the absence of an official knighthood, Hunt won two English top-flight titles and the FA Cup under celebrated manager Bill Shankly.

He scored three goals in six appearances for Alf Ramsey's England team during the 1966 World Cup on home soil and 18 goals in 34 games overall for his country.

Current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "It's really sad news and our thoughts and our love go to his family.

"Unfortunately, it feels too frequent in this moment we are saying farewell to these giants of our club.

"Roger Hunt comes second to no one in his importance in the history of Liverpool FC, that much is clear."

England acknowledged the integral role Hunt played in the nation's World Cup win in 1966, which remains their only major international trophy.

"We're extremely saddened to learn that Roger Hunt, who was a key member of our @FIFAWorldCup-winning side in 1966, has passed away at the age of 83," the Three Lions tweeted.

"Our deepest condolences go to Roger's family, friends and former clubs."

Football world mourns tragic death of Roger Hunt

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said in a statement that England had "lost another great".

"On behalf of the FA, our thoughts are with his family and friends today," he said.

"Twice a league champion with Liverpool, either side of a memorable FA Cup success in 1965, Roger will always be treasured by fans across the country as one of our World Cup winners of 1966."

Hunt's death comes after Jimmy Greaves, who played alongside Hunt in the group games in 1966 before suffering an injury, died earlier this month aged 81.

Just three members of the England XI who played in the final are still alive - George Cohen, Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick at Wembley.

Hunt's death comes six months after that of his long-time Liverpool strike partner Ian St John, who was 82.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge paid tribute to Hunt, writing on Twitter: "I'm absolutely gutted to hear of the passing away of one, if not THE BEST Lfc strikers SIR ROGER HUNT.

"What a striker and a true Gentleman, I had the great pleasure of being with him on many occasions. RIP My Nu 1 Legend and Hero."

Robbie Fowler, sixth in Liverpool's all-time record goal-scorers list, tweeted: "Rest in peace, Sir Roger Hunt."

with AFP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.