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2.7.01  Walsh leads Fagan tributes

Paul Walsh led the tributes for former Liverpool manager Joe Fagan, who died following a short illness at the age of 80.

Walsh shot to prominence in English football after an impressive spell with Luton and he was one of Fagan's first signings after taking over as Anfield boss from Joe Paisley in 1984.

In his first season Fagan, the last of the Anfield club's famous 'bootroom boys' to take charge of the first team, led Liverpool to an unprecedented Treble of Championship, League Cup and European Cup.

"He was not manager for very long, but there is unbelievable respect for him all around Merseyside," Walsh told Radio Four's Today programme.

"He was a very down to earth guy, there were no airs and graces about him. He was a very well-liked man at the club, around Merseyside and in football.

"Taking over from Bob Paisley was a very heavy task, but he was one of those 'bootroom boys' that stuck together. Joe Paisley was still in the background and he was a big help, but to pull off the Treble in his first season is a fantastic achievement."

Walsh said that had it not been for the Heysel disaster in 1985 - when Liverpool reached the European Cup final again - Fagan could have gone on to even greater things.

"It's a real shame for everybody what happened. Joe just could not stomach what happened. It definitely helped his decision to quit and if that hadn't happened he would have been manager for a few more years."

Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson, said: ``Joe was a fantastic person and of course a fantastic manager.

"He did a tremendous job for Liverpool and was very proud of what he achieved.

"He was also a family man and will be sadly missed.''

Former Liverpool executive vice chairman Peter Robinson added: "Joe was a lovely man and a great servant to the club.''

Former Liverpool skipper Emlyn Hughes told Sky Sports News: "He was the last of the management team that went in from the 'bootroom' and it's a very, very sad day for Liverpool Football Club."

Another stalwart in Fagan's Liverpool line-up, defender Joey Jones, added: "He was very down to earth and had a respect for the players. He was a friend to the players and helped everybody.

"Had it not been for Heysel he could have gone on to become one of the all-time great managers. It's a sad loss for football, he was a great, great man."

JOE FAGAN FACTFILE
1921: Born Joe Fagan, March 12.

1938: Joins Manchester City as a centre-half, aged 17.

1958: A 20-year association as player at Maine Road ends with a brief stint at Bradford Park Avenue before moving into non-league football with Nelson.

Retired as a player and appointed trainer with Rochdale under Harry Catterick, who recommended Fagan to Liverpool.

May - Joins Liverpool backroom staff as assistant trainer.

1974: Appointed number two to Bob Paisley following the resignation of the legendary Bill Shankly.

1983: Succeeds Paisley as Liverpool manager in May.

1984: In his first season in charge of first team leads Liverpool to unprecedented Treble of Division One championship, League Cup and European Cup.

1985: Slow start to the campaign hits Liverpool title defence and Reds finish runners-up to arch-rivals Everton in Division One championship race.

May - Leads Liverpool to second successive European Cup final and what should have been a glorious conclusion to his last match in charge ends in tragedy in Brussels' Heysel Stadium.

Devastated by events at Heysel and as a direct result Fagan almost immediately announces his retirement from the game.

July 2001: Dies following an illness, aged 80.

JOE FAGAN'S MANAGERIAL HONOURS

League Championship - 1983-84; League Cup 1983-84; European Cup 1983-84

League Runners-up - 1984-85; European Cup finalists - 1984-85; European Super Cup finalists - 1985; World Club Championship - 1984; Charity Shield Runners-up - 1984



Mark Walker, PA Sport



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