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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Rich Jones

Tommy Smith funeral: Former Liverpool stars give Anfield legend perfect send-off

Liverpool paid an emotional final farewell to Tommy Smith on Thursday morning.

Former Reds stars spanning decades of Anfield history attended Smith's funeral at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Crosby, Sefton.

Smith died last week after a battle with dementia, aged 74.

Affectionately known as "The Anfield Iron", Smith spent 18 years with the Reds, captaining his boyhood club and making 638 appearances in total.

He was an iconic figure at the club having lifted the European Cup, two UEFA Cups, two FA Cups and four League Cups playing under Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly.

Jamie Carragher was amongst those paying their respects to Smith (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

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Tributes were led by Kop legend Kenny Dalglish last week, who said: “Tommy Smith was fantastic servant to Liverpool Football Club.

“He was a great advert for Liverpool Football Club, he played in the first FA Cup final that we won, he scored a goal in the first European Cup final that we won.

Phil Thompson joined mourners at the church in Liverpool (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

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“He had a few championship medals in his pocket as well.

“It is very sad to see him go but his memories will be there forever.”

Liverpool released a statement at the time of his death stating:

Alan Hansen was also at the funeral of Smith (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

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"Liverpool Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of club legend Tommy Smith.

"Smith, who gave almost two decades of remarkable service to the club and was affectionately nicknamed the ‘Anfield Iron’ by supporters, has died at the age of 74.

Ex-Liverpool star Ray Clemence was also at Smith's funeral (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

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"Born in Liverpool in 1945, he made 638 appearances for the club between 1960 and 1978, scoring 48 goals and winning nine major trophies, as well as captaining the Reds for three years.

"Smith was a key part of the Liverpool team that won the FA Cup for the first time back in 1965, with Bill Shankly as manager.

Former team-mates Ian Callaghan (left) and Roy Evans (right) were both in attendance (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

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"Twelve years later, with Bob Paisley at the helm, he would head in an iconic – and crucial - goal to help the club win its maiden European Cup by defeating Borussia Monchengladbach in the final in Rome.

The former Reds skipper passed away last week, aged 74 (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

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"In all, Smith lifted four league titles, a European Cup, two FA Cups and two UEFA Cups during his time with Liverpool."

Smith was diagnosed with Alzheimer's five years ago and previously cared for his wife Susanne who passed away from the same condition at 71.

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