Legendary Irish folk musician Pete St. John, who wrote the song that inspired Liverpool’s “The Fields of Anfield Road” chant, has died aged 90.
The Dublin-based singer-songwriter wrote and composed “The Fields of Athenry” in 1979, before it was eventually adapted by supporters at Anfield.
It was announced on Saturday that St. John, who also wrote “The Rare Ould Times” and “The Ferryman”, had died at the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, earlier that day.
The Fields of Athenry has also been adopted by Celtic supporters. In 2013, the song was played live before a friendly between Liverpool and the Scottish giants at the Aviva Stadium in St. John’s home city of Dublin.
Providing the basis for a timeless chant that is treasured by Reds throughout the world, a version of The Fields of Anfield Road was released in 2009 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster.
Through his work, St. John inadvertently created the tune that has seen Liverpool fans celebrate Sir Kenny Dalglish and Steve Heighway, as well as the achievements of legendary managers Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, for generations.
