Swansea City saddened to learn of passing of former player Ray Kennedy

Swansea City is saddened to learn of the passing of the club’s former player Ray Kennedy at the age of 70.

While best remembered for his successful stints with Liverpool and Arsenal, the former England midfielder made 59 appearances for the Swans and scored two goals between January 1982 and November 1983.

Kennedy began his career with Arsenal, and helped the club to a league and cup double in 1971, having won the Inter Cities Fairs Cup the previous year.

But that haul of silverware would soon be dwarfed by an eight-year spell with Liverpool that yielded five league titles, three European Cups, a League Cup, an Uefa Cup and four Charity Shields.

He joined the Swans in 1982, halfway through a season where John Toshack’s side were challenging for the top-flight title following promotion the previous campaign.

They would go on to finish sixth, and Kennedy would be involved in consecutive Welsh Cup triumphs, before financial issues played a part in his departure following relegation at the end of the 1982-83 season.

Kennedy went on to join Hartlepool, and had a spell as player-manager of Cypriot side Pezoporikos. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984.

Everyone at Swansea City sends their sincerest condolences to Ray’s family and friends at this sad time.