Ron Yeats

Ronald 'Ron' Yeats (born 15 November 1937 in Aberdeen, Scotland) is a Scottish former footballer. He was the captain of the first great Liverpool team of the 1960s.

Life and playing career

Yeats was an Under 15 Schoolboy international who played for Aberdeen Junior side, Aberdeen Lads Club FC, from where he was signed by Dundee United a then Scottish Second Division club. Previous to signing for Dundee United, and on his return from a broken leg, Yeats had a trial with Elgin City FC, then a Scottish Highland Football League club. He worked in a slaughter house in his home town of Aberdeen prior to becoming a professional footballer.

Yeats, a stockily-built 6 ft 2 in central defender, was bought by manager Bill Shankly in 1961 from United for a fee of around £20'000 and was immediately installed as captain as Liverpool gained promotion from the Second Division after eight seasons away from English football's top flight. He made his debut in a 2–0 league victory over Bristol Rovers at Eastville on 19 August 1961, his first goal came 2 years later in the 75th minute of the 1–0 First Division victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on 23 November 1963.