Blues Legend Mariner Dies
Saturday, 10th Jul 2021 09:05 Town legend Paul Mariner has died aged 68, his family has announced.
In a statement, they said the former striker “passed away peacefully on 9th July surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with brain cancer”.
Bolton-born Mariner joined the Blues from Plymouth in 1976 for a fee of £220,000 with John Peddelty and Terry Austin moving in the opposite direction.
The centre-forward went on to become a key man in Sir Bobby’s Robson’s teams which won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981.
An England regular throughout his time with the Blues, Mariner won 35 caps and scored 13 times, including the goal which saw England qualify for the 1982 World Cup via a 1-0 victory over Hungary at Wembley.
He left Town for Arsenal for a fee of February 1984 for £150,000 having made 339 appearances and scored 135 goals. In 2011 he was inducted into the Town Hall of Fame.
Prior to his time at Plymouth, Mariner had started his career at Chorley in non-league. Following his spell with Arsenal, he spent time at Portsmouth, Wollongong City, Albany Capitals and San Francisco Bay.
After hanging up his boots, he worked as a pundit for BBC Radio Lancashire, then spent most of the next few years coaching in the US where he worked in Arizona and then at Harvard before a five-year spell as assistant manager at the New England Revolution.
He returned to the UK to manage Plymouth in 2009/10 and was given a rapturous welcome by Town fans on his return to Portman Road.
A stint in charge of Toronto FC in Canada followed in 2012/13 followed before he spent time working as a pundit in the US while based in Boston.
In November it emerged that Mariner had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour.
Town CEO Mark Ashton led the tributes to a player many believe was the best striker ever to represent the club.
“It’s incredibly sad news and the thoughts of everyone at the club are with Paul's family and friends at this very difficult time,” Ashton told the club site.
Town are set to wear black armbands at this afternoon’s friendly at Dartford as a mark of respect.
Photo: Action Images
Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
Marcus added 09:48 - Jul 10
Legend |  | |
atty added 09:48 - Jul 10
Thank you Paul for all the great memories. You were a truly great player in a truly great side, and at the very heart of what Sir Bobby built at Portman Road. Rest in Peace. |  | |
BlueArrow added 09:49 - Jul 10
Always sad to lose a Blue but even more to lose a legend. Condolences to the family. RIP Paul. |  | |
Esseeja added 09:49 - Jul 10
Awful news.
RIP | | |
BigAlwasmyhero added 09:50 - Jul 10
Such sad news for supporters of a particular era. Thank you Paul for the best football memories of my life! |  | |
Len_Brennan added 09:53 - Jul 10
This is one of those rare 'stop you in your tracks' moments for me & clearly many others who had the privilege of watching him play & having his poster in the prime spot on our bedroom walls.
Quite simply, my favourite player in a team of legends. RIP | | |
Kingfisher49 added 09:53 - Jul 10
I can remember watching Paul in the great team put together by Sir Bobby Robson. He was a great amongst greats. A pleasure to watch and support. Sorry to hear of his sad passing and my condolences to his family and friends. RIP Paul. | | |
blues1 added 09:55 - Jul 10
RIP PAUL.
My hero
Absolute legend
What a player. Cant imagine what his transfer value would be nowadays.
Thanks for all the memories.
As the song said. I'd walk a million miles for one of ur goals, PAUL MARINER. 😪😪 | | |
Rootshall91 added 09:55 - Jul 10
One of our finest players during our proudest era. My favourite player when I was growing up - I would always 'be' Mariner during kick arounds with mates. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP Paul - you will always be remembered by ITFC fans as a legend. | | |
raycrawfordswig added 10:05 - Jul 10
True Legend RIP Paul thanks for the memories.Thoughts are with your family |  | |
delias_cheesy_flaps added 10:07 - Jul 10
A true legend in a legend of a team, PM was what you call a proper striker. RIP PM |  | |
Cakeman added 10:07 - Jul 10
Very sad indeed. A great player who always conducted himself admirably.
Quite simply the best number nine I've ever seen in a Town shirt.
Life just doesn't seem fair at all at times. |  | |
MJR101 added 10:08 - Jul 10
What a terrible shock. One of the greatest strikers this country has produced.
Honoured to have seen him play. | | |
Bert added 10:08 - Jul 10
Heard this on the BBC national news. What a player, what a striker for club and country. So sad for his family and Ipswich and Plymouth. | | |
davetheblue added 10:10 - Jul 10
So sad to hear this news ,Rip Paul.
You will always be remembered |  | |
dangerous30 added 10:25 - Jul 10
R.I.P. Paul thank you for everything you did for town. my thoughts with your family and friends. |  | |
LimerickTractorBoy added 10:26 - Jul 10
RIP Paul, condolences to all the Mariner family.
Those were the days indeed. | | |
TimmyH added 10:29 - Jul 10
Very sad...knew he was suffering with a brain tumour but didn't think it was life threatening. Another of my boyhood hero's passes away...RIP Paul and thanks for the good times! |  | |
KiwiTractor added 10:33 - Jul 10
Had his poster on my wall as a kid. RIP Paul. Legend. |  | |
martin587 added 10:38 - Jul 10
I'm absolutely devastated about this very sad news.I even named my son after him when he scored against Liverpool at Portman Road.He was a model professional and and a top class striker.My love and best wishes go out to his wife children and family.God bless you Paul a wonderful man. |  | |
janeb added 10:38 - Jul 10
Such sad news, thoughts with his family and friends. I was so lucky to see him and Ipswich at their best, week in week out, late 70's early 80's. My first crush x Thank you Paul for all the joy you gave everyone RIP x | | |
DaGremloid added 10:40 - Jul 10
Gutted. Another piece of my childhood gone. Thoughts and prayers with his family. Thanks for the wonderful memories, big guy. | | |
Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:40 - Jul 10
Very, very, sad. RIP, one of Ipswich's greatest. My condolences to all his family. |  | |
Calderboy added 10:41 - Jul 10
Such sad news I started watching #itfc in the 70s and PM was my hero as a 10 year old he's now resting with all town legends no doubt they will all have a kick around today we should retire the no 9 shirt as a mark of respect RIP | | |
You need to login in order to post your comments
| 
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
