Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Ray Clemence has died aged 72, his family said on Sunday.
Clemence, who been living with advanced prostate cancer since 2005, was one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, winning three European Cups and five First Division titles during 14 years at Liverpool.
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File photo dated 12-05-1981. England's Ray Clemence, right, and Brazil's Socrates lead their respective teams out before the international friendly at Wembley Stadium. Former Liverpool, Tottenham and England goalkeeper Clemence died on Sunday at the age of 72. PA Wire. -
File photo dated 06-10-1997. England goalkeeper David Seaman, right, relaxes as coach Ray Clemence returns to the net during training at Bisham Abbey. PA Photo -
File photo dated 04-06-1979. England goalkeepers Joe Corrigan, Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence at Luton airport. PA Photo -
File photo dated 28-11-1985. Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ray Clemence. PA Photo -
File photo dated 06-01-1972 - Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence dives at the feet of Tottenham Hotspur's Alan Gilzean. PA Photo -
File photo dated 05-05-1974 - Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes (left) and goalkeeper Ray Clemence show the FA Cup to the fans after Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Newcastle at Wembley. PA Photo -
File photo dated 20-03-2010 - England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence in the stands PA Photo -
File photo dated 13-05-1980 - England's Kevin Keegan, Ray Clemence, Kenny Sansom and David Johnson walk onto the pitch at Wembley for the friendly against Argentina. PA Photo -
File photo dated 24-05-1975 - England's Ray Clemence saves during the match against Scotland. PA Photo -
File photo dated 01-07-1982 - The substitutes' bench during England's World Cup match against Spain in Madrid. (Left to Right) Goalkeeper Ray Clemence, injured captain Kevin Keegan, Glenn Hoddle and Trevor Brooking. PA Photo -
File photo dated 27-05-1982 - Tottenham goalkeeper Ray Clemence gathers the ball as QPR's Simon Stainrod goes up. PA Photo -
File photo dated 25-11-1972 - Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence catches the ball ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Alan Gilzean. PA Photo -
File photo dated 27-04-1985 - Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ray Clemence gathers the ball under pressure from teammate Graham Roberts and Chelsea's Gordon Davies PA Photo -
In this November 19, 1975 file photo, England's goalkeeper Ray Clemence, second right, saves the ball from an attacking Portuguese player during the European Nations Cup match in Lisbon, Portugal. AP Photo -
In this May 24, 2008 file photo England players during training , Rio Ferdinand , Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard and coach Ray Clemence. Reuters -
In this October 26, 2013 file photo, England's goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence poses for a photo during an event.AP -
In this September 3, 2010 file photo, England goalkeeper coach Ray Clemence is photographed. AP -
In this May 24, 2008 file photo England players during training , Rio Ferdinand , Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard and coach Ray Clemence. Reuters -
In this November 28, 1985 file photo of Tottenham goalkeeper Ray Clemence in action. AP -
In this May 25, 2012 file photo England goalkeeper coach Ray Clemence during training at the Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway. Reuters -
In this May 27, 1981 photo Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence celebrates his team's European Cup final victory over Real Madrid. PA -
John Ruddy with Robert Green, Joe Hart and Ray Clemence during an England training session at Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2012 in Manchester, England. Getty Images -
England coach Ray Clemence looks on during the International Friendly match between Japan and England at the UPC-Arena on May 30, 2010 in Graz, Austria. Getty Images -
Wayne Rooney of England, is congratulated by Ray Clemence following their team's 2-0 victory during the World Cup 2006 Group B match against Trinidad and Tobago at the Frankenstadion on June 15, 2006 in Nuremberg, Germany. Getty Images -
Tord Grip, Steve McClaren, Ray Clemence and Sven Goran Eriksson of England try to keep warm during the team's training session at Slayley Hall near Slayley, on March 29, 2005 in Hexham, England. Getty Images -
In this September 11, 1979 file photo, Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton, the two England goalkeepers. Getty Images -
Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence pictured during a First Division Match between QPR and Liverpool at Loftus Road on November 12, 1977 in London, England, Clemence made over 600 appearances for the Reds. Getty Images -
Members of the England football team at an airport, 1982. Left to right: Kenny Sansom, Steve Foster, Trevor Francis, Steve Coppell, Ray Clemence, Graham Rix, Joe Corrigan and Glen Hoddle. Getty Images -
English goalkeeper Ray Clemence of Liverpool on 13th November 1972. Getty Images -
In this June 18, 1980 file photo England Goalkeeper Ray Clemence saves a penalty during the European Championship match against Spain in Naples, Italy. England won the match 2-1. Allsport -
In this April 1, 1975 file photo Ray Clemence, the goalie for Liverpool, catches the ball in mid air. Getty Images -
Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Ray Clemence has died aged 72, his family said on Sunday. Reuters -
Fabio Capello, centre, listens to Ray Clemence, his goalkeeper coach, as England take their final training session ahead of a match against Montenegro at Wembley Stadium. -
Liverpool keeper Ray Clemence shown in the 1977 FA Cup Final. Liverpool travelled to Dubai for a friendly against Al Nasr the following year. Central Press / Getty Images
He is survived by his wife Veronica, son Stephen - a former player himself and now a coach at Newcastle United - and daughters Sarah and Julie.
"With great sadness, we write to let you know that Ray Clemence passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his loving family," a statement from the Clemence family said.
"After fighting so hard, for such a long time, he's now at peace and in no more pain.
"The family would like to say a huge thank you, for all the love and support that he's received over the years.
"He was loved so much by us all and he will never be forgotten."
Liverpool paid tribute to Clemence on their Twitter account.
"We're deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest-ever goalkeepers, Ray Clemence. The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ray's family and many friends. Rest in peace, Ray Clemence," a statement said.
Clemence moved to Anfield in 1967 from Scunthorpe and would go on to establish himself as a key component in one of the greatest football teams of the 20th century.
He was the last line of defence as the Reds won their first European Cup in 1977 and was also in goal in their 1978 and 1981 European Cup final triumphs. He also helped Liverpool clinch the Uefa Cup in 1973 and 1976 as the Merseysiders established themselves as one of Europe's elite teams.
Clemence played under the club's two most successful managers - Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, winning the 1974 FA Cup with the former as well as the 1981 League Cup under the latter.
Clemence joined Tottenham Hotspur in 1981, aged 32, for a fee of £300,000 and won another Uefa Cup and the FA Cup in his seven-year stay in North London.
Clemence won 61 England caps, but would undoubtedly had many more had he not been competing with Peter Shilton, who accumulated 125, for the number one shirt.
In all Clemence would win more than 20 major trophies to become one of the most decorated British footballers of all time.
After retiring in 1988, Clemence served on the Tottenham coaching staff, managed Barnet and then worked as England's goalkeeping coach.
"We are extremely saddened to learn that former Three Lions goalkeeper and coach Ray Clemence has passed away at the age of 72," a statement from the English Football Association said.
"All of our thoughts are with Ray's family, friends and former clubs at this time."
England players will wear black armbands during their Nations League game in Belgium on Sunday and will pay tribute to Clemence before Wednesday's match against Iceland at Wembley.
