ROY SAUNDERSFormer Liverpool and Swansea Town footballer Roy Saunders died aged 78 on 30 January, 2009.Saunders, the father of Wrexham manager and former Wales striker Dean, made almost 150 appearances for the Reds and turned out 100 times for Swansea before going on to become player-manager at Ammanford.He then went on to join the Swans’ coaching staff and later became involved in match day hospitality at the Liberty Stadium.Swansea City director Dave Morgan said: "Many people will have fond memories of Roy. Our thoughts are with Dean and the rest of the family at this time."The ex-England youth wing-half began his career as an amateur with Hull. In 1948, at the age of 17, he joined Liverpool. Over the next 10 years he played in 146 games, scoring one goal. During his time at Anfield he also came on as a substitute for Stanley Matthews in an exhibition match between a Great Britain XI and a Rest of the World team.He joined the Swans in 1959 and made his debut against arch-rivals Cardiff. He made 94 appearances for Swansea, netting three goals, and played in the club's 1961 Welsh Cup Final triumph over Bangor.He later joined the club's coaching staff, and when the team moved to the Liberty Stadium he teamed up with ex-star Alan Curtis to work in hospitality in the Morfa Legends Lounge.Wrexham Football Club issued words of support to their manager and his family. A statement said: "Everyone at Wrexham Football Club would like to express their sympathy following the news that Roy Saunders has passed away."He will certainly be missed by his family, and Dean in particular would always turn to his father for advice during his career as both a player and now a manager."Liverpoool Football Club said in a statement: "He died after a long illness, aged 78, and the thoughts of everybody at Liverpool Football Club are with his family and friends at this sad time."
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