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Today, Liverpool fans cheer on the SAS.

Almost half-a-century ago, the Kop roared on the H-Bombers – Hunt and Hateley.

Tony Hateley, who passed away on Saturday aged 72 , scored 28 goals in just 56 Liverpool appearances, including a celebrated hat-trick against Newcastle United on his home debut.

Ivan Ponting’s evocative Player By Player volume recalled the occasion memorably.

“When Tony Hateley opened his Liverpool scoring account with a rousing hat-trick against Newcastle on the second Saturday of 1967/68, Anfield was the place to be. The stadium was bulging with nearly 52,000 people, the air was heady with the scent of triumphs to come and the ‘H’ bombers – Roger Hunt also scored two in the 6-0 victory – had signalled their arrival as partners to be feared with a show of ruthless efficiency.”

The triumphs did come, but sadly for Hateley after he had left the club.

A ‘traditional’ centre-forward who was outstanding in the air, his style didn’t fit neatly with the pass and move philosophy Bill Shankly was integrating.

“Tony was a nice fella and a good player in the right team,” explained team-mate Tommy Smith. “However, his arrival changed our style of play. From being a passing team, we suddenly started launching the long ball up to the big man. It is not something you plan. It’s just that a centre-forward who is good in the air becomes a magnet for the long, high ball.”

Hateley’s goals record was excellent – but after just two seasons at Anfield he was moved on to Coventry for a fee just £16,000 short of the club record £96,000 Shankly had paid Chelsea for his services.

In pictures: Tony Hateley remembered

History later repeated itself in the experience Andy Carroll endured at Anfield.

Despite stints with Birmingham City and Oldham after a short spell with Coventry, Tony became a proud and active member of the Liverpool Former Players’ Association and could regularly be spotted on the golf circuit with Anfield old boys.

Anfield legend Ian St John was a close friend of Hateley and delivered a moving tribute to his old pal.

“Tony was a smashing big fella,” he said. “He was an infectious and bubbly character and was always happy and good to have around the dressing room.

“It was a shock hearing he has passed away. It is a great loss and we will miss him dearly.

“I remember when we signed big Tony. Shanks had decided we would change our style with a big man up front. I remember he had played against Ron Yeats and given him a hard time and Shanks said he had to get him to Liverpool. He was a terrific header of the ball and unplayable in the air. He played up front with Roger Hunt and I moved back to midfield for a spell which I really enjoyed.”

St John added: “We played golf regularly raising a lot of money for charity around the North West. When we played in pairs, Tony always played alongside Norman Wisdom without fail and we used to wonder why they played together.

“I remember one day when we were playing four-ball when Norman hit this shot that looked like it was missing the hole. The next thing I saw this big pair of size 10s of Tony blocking the ball to within two feet of the hole! So then we knew why they played together!

“Tony was always a popular character with the lads and that's how we will remember him.”

His son Mark was also a successful striker and went on to be capped for England, while grandson Tom played for Tranmere and now plays in Poland.

Tony leaves his wife Yvonne.