Liverpool legend Ray Kennedy dies aged 70 following battle with Parkinson’s disease

Liverpool legend and three-time European Cup winner Ray Kennedy dies aged 70, after a 35-year battle with Parkinson’s disease

  • Ray Kennedy, 70, has died following a 35-year battle against Parkinson’s disease
  • The midfielder, who played for Liverpool and Arsenal, was diagnosed in 1986
  • Kennedy remains a legend at Anfield, where he was for seven-and-a-half years
  • He won three European Cups and five league titles playing under Bob Paisley 


Former Arsenal, Liverpool and England footballer Ray Kennedy has died at the age of 70 following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

A member of the Arsenal team that won the First Division and FA Cup Double in 1971, Kennedy would go on to achieve astonishing success at Anfield.

With Liverpool, the midfielder won five more league titles and the European Cup on three occasions as part of their vintage team of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Legendary manager Bob Paisley described him as ‘one of Liverpool’s greatest players and probably the most under-rated.’

Kennedy won 17 caps for England but was never able to usurp Trevor Brooking in the side and retired from the international game in 1981.

He was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s when a player at Hartlepool in the twilight of his career and struggled with the illness for the rest of his life.

Ray Kennedy (right, pictured for Liverpool in 1980) has died after battling Parkinson’s disease

Kennedy (right, playing for Arsenal in 1971) died aged 70 after a 35-year battle with the disease

Kennedy (right, playing for Arsenal in 1971) died aged 70 after a 35-year battle with the disease

Kennedy spent seven-and-a-half years with Liverpool where he became a club legend

Kennedy spent seven-and-a-half years with Liverpool where he became a club legend

The former Liverpool striker John Aldridge tweeted: ‘Yet another magnificent Ex LFC star has passed away folks, Ray Kennedy what a player and lovely bloke who suffered so much with Parkinson’s disease for most of his life. He will definitely never walk alone. RIP Ray.’ 

Upon hearing the news former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson tweeted: ‘More sad news with the passing of Ray ,what a great player and such a wonderful team-mate RIP pal YNWA.’

Former Denmark international and Liverpool player Jan Molby also tweeted: ‘RIP Ray Kennedy // Maestro #LFC #Legend’

Arsenal fan and TV personality Piers Morgan wrote: ‘RIP Ray Kennedy. Arsenal double-winning star in 1971 and one of my first footballing heroes. 

Former Liverpool players John Aldridge, Phil Thompson and Jan Molby led the tributes on social media while Piers Morgan described Kennedy as 'one of my first footballing heroes'

Former Liverpool players John Aldridge, Phil Thompson and Jan Molby led the tributes on social media while Piers Morgan described Kennedy as ‘one of my first footballing heroes’

‘Went on to play for Liverpool & England. Fought a long courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Very sad news.’ 

Kennedy spent seven-and-a-half years at Anfield and made 393 appearances for the club, scoring 72 goals.

He arrived from Arsenal in 1974 but it coincided on the same day that Bill Shankly confirmed his exit from Liverpool.

Kennedy finished his Liverpool career with five league titles, three European Cups, a UEFA Cup, a European Super Cup and one League Cup.  

Under Paisley, Kennedy thrived as a converted midfielder before leaving Anfield to have spells with Swansea, Hartlepool and Pezoporikos, of Cyprus, before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in November 1986.  

More to follow.



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