Ray King (footballer)

For the American Sculptor, see Ray King (artist).
Ray King
Personal information
Full name Raymond King
Date of birth 15 August 1924 (1924-08-15) (age 87)
Place of birth Warkworth, Northumberland, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Youth career
Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1946–1947 Leyton Orient 1 (0)
1947–1949 Ashington 1 (0)
1949–1957 Port Vale 252 (0)
Boston United ? (?)
Total 254+ (0)
National team
1954 England B 1 (0)
Teams managed
1957–1960 Boston United
Poole Town
Sittingbourne
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Raymond (Ray) King (born 15 August 1924) is a former English football goalkeeper. He is the younger brother of George King.

A legend at Port Vale, he was their first choice keeper from 1949 to 1957. A key part of the squad, he was at the club during one of their brightest periods. He later went into management with Boston United, Poole Town and Sittingbourne.

Contents

Playing career

King played for Newcastle United before guesting for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chester City during the war. He suffered ill fortune in his early career, Tommy Lawton of Everton hit a shot so hard at Goodison Park that it broke both King's wrists. He made a comeback at a local level in Amble in his native Northumberland playing as an outfield player. He played for Leyton Orient, but broke a wrist in his first game. He returned to Amble, only to break his jaw. Unwilling to give up playing he also guested for Ashington.

He joined his brother at Port Vale in May 1949. After a few seasons battling for the position of first choice 'keeper he enjoyed great success behind the sticks for the 1953–54 season, as the club won the Football League Third Division North title and reached the FA Cup semi-finals. After 275 matches (23 FA Cup and 252 league) he was sold to Boston United for £2,500 in July 1957 where he became player-manager.[1]

King made one international appearance for England 'B' on 22 May 1954 when he played the first half in a 2–0 defeat by their Swiss equivalents, before giving way to George Thompson at half time.[2]

Management career

He managed Boston United from 1957 to 1960, later managing Poole Town and Sittingbourne.

Honours

as a player

with Port Vale

References

  1. ^ Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 164. ISBN 0952915200. http://www.amazon.ca/Port-Vale-Personalities-Jeff-Kent/dp/0952915200. 
  2. ^ "Switzerland B 2–0 England B". England: International Results B-Team. RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-b-intres-det.html. Retrieved 27 December 2011. 
Boston United F.C. – managers