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RIP Ray Kennedy

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I didn’t know about all his post football struggles. This was quite a read (Wikipedia)


Kennedy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a specialist on 4 November 1984.[104] He gave permission for his image to be used to promote a public campaign to increase awareness of the disease.[105] His involvement in the Parkinson's Disease Society led to him meeting his childhood hero Muhammad Ali.[106][107] He was also invited to do some coaching at Sunderland in the 1986–87season by manager Lawrie McMenemy, and worked as a part-time coach from February to April 1987, at which point he was promoted to first-team coach.[105][108]

His wife, Jennifer, left him in October 1987 after he punched her in the face and kicked her down the stairs of the family home; this ended a difficult 15-year marriage blighted by frequent infidelity on his part.[109] They had two children: Cara (born July 1976) and Dale (born January 1981).[70] Former Liverpool teammate Ray Clemence recalled how Kennedy "worked hard and played hard".[110] Other teammates Steve Heighway and Phil Thompson noted that Kennedy was a "quiet man", though "women were always chasing after him" and "off the pitch he needed to be handled quite gently, and everything had to be organised just right otherwise there would be trouble".[110] Completing a bad end to 1987, his licence at the Melton Constable was revoked.[111] His prescribed L-DOPA medication also became less effective and he became increasingly isolated.[112] His condition improved when he began injections of apomorphine.[113] He was reliant on the Professional Footballers' Association to pay his medical expenses, and his divorce as well as business and tax problems wiped out his savings.[114] A testimonial game was held between Arsenal and Liverpool in April 1991.[115] A charity appeal was also set up to help pay his living costs.[116] In late 1992 he began suffering from extreme paranoia, mostly due to the side effects of his medication, but regained his mental faculties following a short stay in hospital.[117]

He published his autobiography Ray of Hope in 1993, co-authored by Dr. Andrew Lees, who at that time treated Kennedy for Parkinson's disease.[118]Later that year he sold his collection of medals and international caps to raise funds.[119] In 2002, he was reported as living alone in a bungalow in New Hartley.[120] In an interview two years later, he said that he suffered from loneliness and hallucinationsdue to his condition and the side effects of his medication.[121] Following the interview a Liverpool fan bought Kennedy a computer, which allowed him to make friends on football chat rooms.[122] Kennedy remained a favourite amongst Liverpool supporters decades after leaving the club, and was voted in at No.25 on the 2013 poll '100 Players Who Shook The Kop'.[123] He died on 30 November 2021.[124]
 
He was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease years back, I'm surprised he survived as long as he did - which is credit to the NHS. I never saw him play but without doubt a legend. RIP Sir Ray Kennedy
 
RIP indeed. I wonder how good some of our players would be in these days on beautiful pristine pitches. Seems amazing they scored such quality goals in piles of mud. What an era.
 
Excellent player for us. Although Sir Bill signed him as a striker it was Sir Bob who saw something in his game that led him to believe Kennedy could play in midfield. It worked and Ray went on to play hundreds of games in midfield for us. Sorry to hear that sad news.

RIP Ray Kennedy
 
My childhood favourite.

He's why I've worn number 5 my whole life, in any sport. He's also why I've always tried to play in midfield. When he moved to Swansea, I was gutted... My first footballing heartbreak.

This world throws around the word "legend" far too easily - 5 League titles, 3 European Cups and a Goal Of The Season to boot in 8 seasons... When it comes to Ray Kennedy, the word isn't used nearly enough.

This one hurts. A lot.

Sleep well, Ray. And thanks for everything. YNWA.
 
He was a member of the side that I started supporting as a little boy, ar dheis de go raibh anam dilis.
 
My childhood favourite.

He's why I've worn number 5 my whole life, in any sport. He's also why I've always tried to play in midfield. When he moved to Swansea, I was gutted... My first footballing heartbreak.

This world throws around the word "legend" far too easily - 5 League titles, 3 European Cups and a Goal Of The Season to boot in 8 seasons... When it comes to Ray Kennedy, the word isn't used nearly enough.

This one hurts. A lot.

Sleep well, Ray. And thanks for everything. YNWA.

You'll like this piece I think: https://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2020...7WUqeHnlfgdpyDb3m2oA3nVgIwOOmugbLAqmyFehBtsII
 
Before my time and I actually thought he'd died a while back. But RIP, regardless.
 
RIP

The business of punching and kicking her indoors down the stairs doesn't make for great reading!
 
Superb footballer. Used both feet well, great in the air and seemed to glide across the pitch. Made a good team even better. R.I.P.
 
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