Season › 2011-12 › News Gary Ablett dies from cancer Michael Kenrick , 2 January, 41comments | Jump to most recent Former Everton defender was only 46 Former Everton defender Gary Ablett has died after a long battle against cancer, he was 46. Ablett, lost his 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on Sunday night. Ablett played for Everton after making the switch from Liverpool in 1992 and played a key role in keeping the Blues in the Premier League in May 1994. And he was a member of the last Everton team to win a trophy — The FA Cup in 1995. After moving on to Birmingham City in 1995 following a short loan spell at Sheffield United, Ablett was released by then Birmingham boss Trevor Francis in 1999-2000 and signed for American A-League side Long Island Rough Riders in June 2000, after a short spell with Blackpool under former Anfield team-mate Steve McMahon. In February of 2002, at the age of 36, Ablett was taken on trial by Division One strugglers Grimsby Town. Gary Ablett returned to Everton as a coach in the Academy, and served the club for two years before taking a job with Liverpool, coaching their Reserves team. Ablett took up a coaching role with Ipswich in July 2010 but was taken ill while at the club's training ground and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In October, he spoke of the shock at being diagnosed with the disease. "Jacqueline took one look at me and took me straight to the doctors," he said in an interview with Everton's official website to support Blue September - a campaign to raise awareness of forms of cancer specifically affecting men. "The following day they whisked me to Ipswich hospital and the sister asked us if we knew why we were there. "We said 'for tests' but she told us they had found a really aggressive lymphoma and that without immediate treatment I'd be in serious trouble. "From diagnosis to that first session of chemotherapy was less than three days, so it was a massive shock." Everton manager David Moyes added his tribute, telling evertonfc.com: "It is so, so sad about Gary. "He was a regular visitor here to Finch Farm over the last six months and he was a lovely man, well liked by everyone. My thoughts are with all his family at this terrible time." A statement from Everton said: "Everyone at Everton was saddened to learn of the death of Gary Ablett. The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with Gary's family and friends at this tragic time." Quotes or other material sourced from Sporting Life Reader Comments (41) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads