Ipswich UEFA Cup hero Mariner passes away
Saturday, July 10, 2021
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The former England striker Paul Mariner – who won the UEFA Cup with Ipswich Town in 1981 – has died at the age of 68.
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Mariner began his career with Plymouth Argyle before joining Ipswich in 1976. He became a key figure in the most successful team in the club’s history, playing a vital role as a dangerous front-runner in the side that won the English FA Cup in 1978.
Three years later, Mariner starred when Ipswich, managed by future England boss Sir Bobby Robson, captured the UEFA Cup, scoring in the first leg as the eastern English outfit pulled off an exciting 5-4 aggregate win over Dutch opponents AZ Alkmaar.
After scoring 135 goals in 339 appearances for Ipswich, Mariner joined Arsenal in 1984, finding the net 17 times in 70 appearances in a three-year spell with the London club. He also had a two-year stint at Portsmouth before moving abroad and playing for clubs in Australia, the United States and Malta.
Mariner made his international debut for England in 1977 and won 35 caps, scoring 13 goals and featuring in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Following his retirement in 1993, he coached his first club Plymouth, and also worked as a coach in Canada and the United States.
Ipswich hailed him on the club's website as “a true great for club and country”. England’s national team also paid their respects. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and former clubs,” the team said on their Twitter channel.