Former Liverpool midfielder Peter Cormack has died aged 78 and Liverpool have paid tribute to the former player, who won the UEFA Cup and FA Cup during his stint at the club (Image: Mirrorpix)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeLiverpool legend Peter Cormack, who Bill Shankly named as the ‘final piece in the jigsaw’, has sadly passed away aged 78 – with tributes flooding in for the football star. The Reds confirmed the tragic news on Friday (11 October) morning. A statement read: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of former midfielder Peter Cormack, aged 78. Rest in peace, Peter.” During his time on Merseyside, Cormack played under iconic Liverpool manager Shankly – who iconically labelled him the missing piece of the jigsaw. After joining from Nottingham Forest in 1972, Cormack helped Liverpool win the First Division title and UEFA Cup double in his first season with the club.
Former Liverpool midfielder Peter Cormack has died aged 78 and Liverpool have paid tribute to the former player, who won the UEFA Cup and FA Cup during his stint at the club
(Image: Mirrorpix)
He contributed to another league title win in 1975/76 and the FA Cup in 1973/74. Cormack made 178 appearances and scored 26 goals for Liverpool. He shared the Anfield dressing room with world stars such as John Toshack, Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence. “When I got the call from Bill Shankly I would have willingly run all the way from Nottingham to Anfield to meet him,” Cormack told the Liverpool Echo in 2013. “That July morning in 1972 I sat nervously, twitching like a wet behind the ears teenager about to set out on his football career, nothing like the battle hardened pro with 10 years’ first team experience and several Scotland caps that I was.” Liverpool released a statement following the sad news of Peter’s passing. It read: “The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Peter’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.”
During his time on Merseyside, Cormack played under iconic Liverpool manager Bill Shankly – who labelled him the missing piece of the jigsaw
(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Cormack’s son Peter revealed in 2019 that his father had been battling dementia. Peter, his wife Marion, 69, daughter Donna-Lee, 47, and son Peter Jr, 45, decided to go public with his Alzheimer’s diagnosis as his condition deteriorated. They took the brave decision following the publication of findings from a Glasgow University study, which linked the disease to playing football. Speaking from their Edinburgh home at the time, Marion said: “We were given the proper diagnosis two years ago but we started noticing changes as far back as 2002. Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
He shared the Anfield dressing room with world stars such as John Toshack, Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence
(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
“Even then, I suspected it had something to do with Peter’s career as a footballer. But doctors were unsure. The new research helps prove a link but it’s not enough. There needs to be much more done. “”Football authorities should have started looking at this as soon as Jeff Astle died in 2002 – not wait until 2017. We know there’s been rumours about Peter recently so we’ve decided, as a family, to speak out.” She continued: “Some of the stories have been hurtful but Peter is unaffected. He was in football for so long he has never been fazed by people talking and whispering about him.
Peter’s last job was at Morton in 2002, shortly before he started displaying dementia symptoms
(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
“But we want people and fans to realise when they’re talking to him that he isn’t being rude or disrespectful, it’s just his condition.” Peter’s last job was at Morton in 2002, shortly before he started displaying dementia symptoms.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnIn the News
