Remembering Ray Wilson

[roydo]

This is supposed to be a true story. Leeds United sent their Scout to a Huddersfield Town game. The Huddersfield left back named in the program was taken ill and couldn't play. A young Ray Wilson was put in his place. The Scout went back to Leeds raving about the Huddersfield left back but using the name in the program. Leeds bought him. I actually attended the first game he played for Leeds and he was absolutely useless. Late 1950's/early 1960's. I always hoped it was true!

Back in those days, that is utterly believable.

If it actually is, I have no idea.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

An Everton World Cup winner,'nuff said

 

[Eggs]

This is supposed to be a true story. Leeds United sent their Scout to a Huddersfield Town game. The Huddersfield left back named in the program was taken ill and couldn't play. A young Ray Wilson was put in his place. The Scout went back to Leeds raving about the Huddersfield left back but using the name in the program. Leeds bought him. I actually attended the first game he played for Leeds and he was absolutely useless. Late 1950's/early 1960's. I always hoped it was true!

...fascinating, and I suppose plausible. I presume Shankly was Huddersfield manager at that time. Coming in at the last minute for a conventional LB might have been the reason he initially switched from the wing, we might have Shankly to thank for that one.

 

[kev]

Fun fact about Ray (that I've just read)

He had a tattoo on his forearm which read "Egypt never again"
Apparently he was posted there during his national service and he absolutely hated his time there lol

 

[Methuselah]

...fascinating, and I suppose plausible. I presume Shankly was Huddersfield manager at that time. Coming in at the last minute for a conventional LB might have been the reason he initially switched from the wing, we might have Shankly to thank for that one.

Shankly moved to Liverpool in December 1959 so it is possible it was him but it may have been his replacement as I thought it was early 1960's. Ray Wilson left Huddersfield in 1964.

 

[Bluebonic]

Wilson was a fabulous player, and unlike quite a few from back then, he would fit perfectly into the modern game, Ray, Bally, Big Nev and Kanchelskis were the four truly world class players to have turned out for us ( as in world class when they played for us, not world class before joining us or after leaving us)

 

[Bluebonic]

I meant to say that I have seen play!

 

[Toffeelover]

.....I’m 63 and say Ray Wilson is one of just 3 world class players I have seen play for Everton (along with Ball and Southall).

Recognised as the best LB in the world during much of his time with us, he was a class act. No size but rapid, like all top players he just seemed to have so much time on a football pitch.

It is that quality which makes a player stand out.