TRIBUTES have been paid to the fathers of two Liverpool Football Club stalwarts, who have passed away within days of each other.

Owen Thompson, father of Phil Thompson, died on Sunday after a long period of ill health.

Dirk Kuyt’s father, Dirk Kuyt Snr, died last Friday after a battle with cancer.

Thompson said his father was “a legend”.

Owen Thompson served in the Merchant Navy on the Cunard line and kept many friends from those days, including former Deputy Prime Mini-ster John Prescott.

Mr Thompson, who was 78, had lived in Southdene, Kirkby, for 50 years.

He was a father of seven, grandfather of 14, and great-grandfather of five.

Former Liverpool skipper and coach Thompson said: “Seeing all the old seamen was what kept him going, and shows the cameraderie of the people who went away to sea. John Prescott would visit him in hospital and has called to say he’s shocked. Dad would go into Liverpool and people from all walks of life knew him, wherever I go people ask about him. It’s comforting to know so many people thought so much of him. He led a wonderful life.”

His funeral will take place at St Chad’s Church in Kirkby on Tuesday.

Dirk Kuyt was brought up in the Netherlands, where his father was a fisherman. Kuyt is to set up a foundation in memory of his father. The play-er said his father’s strength was his inspiration at the Champions League Final in Athens.

When Kuyt won player of the year award in his homeland, he was handed the Golden Boot by his father, unaware he was well enough to attend.

LFC fans have paid tribute to the men on a variety of internet fan sites and forums.