Clemence to join European elite

Clemence is England's goalkeeping coach

Former Liverpool and Tottenham goalkeeper Ray Clemence is to receive a special award from Uefa.

Clemence will become one of an elite five when he is honoured with a new award to those who have played in 100 or more Uefa club competition games since 1955.

"I'm extremely proud and pleased to receive this award," said Clemence.

European nights were always special occasions which allowed you to test yourself against the very best

Ray Clemence

"The highlights for me were winning the European Cup in Rome in front of 26,000 Liverpool fans and the magical victory against St Etienne in the same season.

"European nights were always special occasions which allowed you to test yourself against the very best.

"To be honoured as one of only five to reach 100 appearances is a wonderful source of pride for me."

Clemence played 107 European club fixtures over 16 consecutive seasons between 1969 and 1985.

He helped Liverpool win three European Cups and two Uefa Cups as well as appearing in Spurs' Uefa Cup-winning campaign of 1983/1984.

Clemence is presently the England goalkeeping coach.

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson said: "Ray has rightly earned his place among the great players in the history of European club competitions.

"He was a key figure in the Liverpool team of the 1970s and early 1980s that all football fans in Scandinavia knew and admired."

Football Association technical director Howard Wilkinson added: "We are all delighted for Ray that his outstanding record has been acknowledged.

"We are also delighted that he has now gone on to become an outstanding national goalkeeping coach and key member of our technical staff."

Clemence will be presented with the award at a gala evening in Monaco on 23 August ahead of the Super Cup tie between Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

He is thought to be the only English recipient, although the other winners have not been confirmed.