Mariners mourn landmark manager

A Cambridge Blue who played for the famous Pegasus team who won the Amateur Cup twice in the early 1950s at Wembley and a lecturer in Russian at Liverpool Polytechnic, the club's manager from 1967 to 1970 passed away on Friday morning aged 82.

Mr Scanlan is pictured far left, with his 1968-69 Mariners side, winners of the Liverpool Senior Non-League and Lancashire Combination Cups.

In statement on their website, the Mariners announced that Mr Scanlan's son David and other members of his family would be present at the Marine Travel Arena next Saturday as their guests to see the club pay tribute to their late manager before kicking off against Spennymoor Town in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight.

Marine supporter and community officer Barry Lenton paid tribute to Mr Scanlan who was also the official interpreter for the Russian World Cup team in 1966 and later for Manchester United stars Andre Kanchelskis and Eric Cantona.

He said: "His legacy was laying the foundations for what was to be a very successful era for Marine. George was well liked and loved by former players and supporters alike and a place in Marine's history will be a permanent reminder of him and of the respect with which he was and always will be regarded so highly.

"He always had time for every supporter who spoke to him. He was a natural communicator whose positive energy was. Inspirational and infectious. George welcomed the formation of the RPMA, the first Marine supporters' club in 1968. He will be sadly missed but remembered fondly by the Marine family who are old enough and privileged to have known him."

A club spokesman added: "We will provide funeral details when available and extend our deepest sympathy to George's family at this sad time."

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