Liverpool and Hibs legend Peter Cormack has passed away at the age of 78. The Merseyside club confirmed the tragic news as they paid tribute to the former Scotland midfielder on Friday morning.
A statement read: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of former midfielder Peter Cormack, aged 78. Rest in peace, Peter.”
Peter, who won nine caps for Scotland, previously revealed he was battling dementia. In a trophy-laden career, he won two league titles, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup in four seasons with Liverpool in the early 70s.
He shared the Anfield dressing room with world stars such as John Toshack, Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence. He also played with Nottingham Forest and Bristol City and made more than 200 appearances for Hibs.
In 2019, Peter, his wife Marion, 69, daughter Donna-Lee, 47, and son Peter Jr, 45, decided to go public with his Alzheimer’s diagnosis as his condition deteriorated.
They took the brave decision following the publication of findings from a Glasgow University study, which linked the disease to playing football.
Speaking from their Edinburgh home, Marion said: “We were given the proper diagnosis two years ago but we started noticing changes as far back as 2002.
“Even then, I suspected it had something to do with Peter’s career as a footballer. But doctors were unsure. The new research helps prove a link but it’s not enough. There needs to be much more done.
“Football authorities should have started looking at this as soon as Jeff Astle died in 2002 – not wait until 2017. We know there’s been rumours about Peter recently so we’ve decided, as a family, to speak out.
“Some of the stories have been hurtful but Peter is unaffected. He was in football for so long he has never been fazed by people talking and whispering about him.
“But we want people and fans to realise when they’re talking to him that he isn’t being rude or disrespectful, it’s just his condition.”
Peter’s two spells at Hibs saw him inducted into their hall of fame in 2017 and he regularly attended matches at Easter Road with his family.
He managed a host of clubs after retiring from playing in 1980, including Patrick Thistle and Morton, and also coached in Cyprus and Botswana.
His last job was at Morton in 2002, shortly before he started displaying symptoms. Speaking to the Record, grandad-of-six Peter previously said he thinks his prowess in the air during his career has led to his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
He said: “I loved my time as a footballer. It was a dream come true. I wasn’t the biggest but was always good in the air. I scored a lot of goals and won a lot of headers – I think that contributed to my condition.
“In those days, you’d do anything to stay in the team and that included playing through injuries. If you got a head knock or concussion, you’d just play on.
“People didn’t even know what concussion was. You’d just think you had a bit of a sore head. When the balls got wet and you headed it, it was like getting punched in the face. You’d just get on with it.”
Following the news of his death, a Hibs spokesperson said: “Everyone at Hibernian FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former Hibee Peter Cormack at the age of 78. Rest in peace, Peter.”
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