Former England striker Paul Mariner, who represented the Three Lions at the 1980 European Championships and 1982 World Cup, has died at the age of 68.
Mariner’s family confirmed the news of his tragic death after a brief battle with brain cancer, noting that he had died “peacefully” on Friday.
“We want to thank all the people who came to see him through his illness for their support and the messages that were sent to him. They meant a lot to him and us,” reads a statement from the Mariner family.
We’re sorry to hear that Paul Mariner, who did 35 gigs for #ThreeLions, has passed away at the age of 68.
Mariner represented England between 1977 and 1985 and scored 13 goals.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and former clubs. pic.twitter.com/kusQZYmVs4
– England (@England) 10 July 2021
“A special thank you must go to the NHS and the incredible care he received when he needed it most and for that we as a family will always be in your debt.
“Paul lived a full life and was fortunate to represent a group of fantastic football clubs as well as his country, all of which meant the world to him.
“Whoever knew Paul will attest to his amazing humor, his passion for life and his work. He will be greatly missed by all who have ever been around him and by those closest to him.”
Mariner began his professional career at Plymouth Argyle in the mid-1970s but it was after a move to top flight Ipswich in 1976 that he really made his name. He won the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup with the club under the leadership of future England manager Bobby Robson.
We are devastated to hear the news of the death of Town Legends Paul Mariner at the age of 68.
Everyone at #itfc is thinking of Paul’s family and friends at this sad time.
Thanks, Paul. ? pic.twitter.com/NpfEuDsWTa
– Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) July 10, 2021
Mariner later spent two seasons each at Arsenal and Portsmouth in the 1980s, before ending his career with international moves to Australia and the United States. After retiring in 1993 at the age of 40, he worked as a radio expert and started a gaming company.
Mariner returned to the United States in 2003 and coached as a university-level assistant with Harvard and then went on to the MLS series New England Revolution. He later succeeded in Plymouth and also had a spell responsible for Toronto FC.
Mariner’s career in England had begun in 1977, not long after his transfer to Ipswich, and continued until 1985. He played 35 times for his country and scored 13 goals.
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