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Yesterday there was a very special moment before a match in England’s League One, the third tier of the English pyramid.
Before the match at Home Park in Plymouth, the hosts Plymouth Argyle and visitors Ipswich Town took a moment to remember former club legend and #9 striker for both sides, Paul Mariner. Mariner is a member of the Ipswich Town Hall of Fame and a member of Plymouth’s Team of the Century.
Mariner also coached Plymouth for a spell after leaving the New England Revolution in 2009. Mariner passed away earlier this year in July after battling brain cancer.
Today, Home Park honours Paul Mariner.
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Only1Argyle) October 30, 2021
One of the greatest.#pafc pic.twitter.com/2P7i62E6VJ
A legend at Town and @Only1Argyle.
— Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) October 30, 2021
A minute’s applause will take place ahead of today’s game as we celebrate the life of Paul Mariner.#itfc pic.twitter.com/IuWhFrcqpx
Between 1973-76, Mariner played 135 league games for Plymouth notching 56 goals during a stretch that saw Argyle promoted to the second division before a move to Ipswich Town under then head coach Bobby Robson. With Ipswich in the top flight, Mariner lead the team in scoring three times in a row from 77/78 to 79/80 helping Ipswich claim an FA Cup and a UEFA Cup (now the Europa Leauge) as well as league runner ups in both 80/81 and 81/82. Mariner totaled 96 goals for Ipswich across 260 league games.
#itfc pic.twitter.com/m6ZX2TPITF
— Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) October 30, 2021
Plymouth Argyle v Ipswich Town display 30/10/21
— Steve Riggs (@devonportenders) October 30, 2021
Paul Mariner #pafc #itfc pic.twitter.com/1biEMT4qIO
Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town pay tribute to Paul Mariner yesterday #PAFC #ITFC pic.twitter.com/sLJFjis7OJ
— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) October 31, 2021
“There’s only one Paul Mariner!” Indeed. Well-done by the fans and #pafc #itfc yesterday at Home Park. It’s OK to when you see the tributes. We did.https://t.co/2QVRmytdma
— NE Revolution TV (@RevsTV) October 31, 2021
The testimonial featured green, white, and blue banners held aloft to spell out Mariner’s name in the main stand and the number 9 in the supporter’s ends, the number he wore at both clubs. We thank the supporters of Argyle and Ipswich as well as the clubs for this moment for a man beloved and missed by many.