Ray Wilkins Dies Aged 61

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

Just saw this on my phone. So terrible and feel a little lost for words. 

[ian1964 10,595]

 

[ian1964 10,595]

THE THOUGHTS and prayers of everyone at Rangers are with the family and friends of former midfielder Ray Wilkins who has sadly passed away.

Ray spent two years at Ibrox from 1987 to 1989 and was a regular fixture in midfield as he helped lay the foundations of the Souness revolution at Ibrox.

He joined Rangers from Paris Saint-Germain and enjoyed a career that also took him to Italy with AC Milan after spells with both Manchester Utd and Chelsea in his early years.

Ray made just shy of 100 appearances for the Light Blues in his two year spell in Glasgow, but he is fondly remembered by the Rangers support for a stunning Old Firm goal in August 1988.

He drove a stunning right-foot volley into the top corner to help the Light Blues on their way to a 5-1 victory.

Ray collected two League Championship and one League Cup medal during his two seasons at the club and was inducted in to the club’s Hall of Fame for his contribution.

https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/ray-wilkins/

[cooponthewing 1,139]

Just seen this and totally shocked. Was listening to him on TalkSPORT only last week. He was having a laugh with Brazil on the breakfast show. Let’s hope he is smiling down somewhere? Rest in Peace Butch a Ranger forever.

[compo 6,521]

A sad day R .I .P Ray

[ian1964 10,595]

Wilkins last game for Rangers

 

 

[MacK1950 2,278]

Sad,sad news a genuine class player we were lucky enough to have for a while R.I.P.

[Bill 13,717]

So sorry to hear about this ... 61 is no age for a man to pass on and my thoughts are with his family at this sad sad time.

[onevision 1,480]

So sad to hear this.

[JohnMc 2,564]

Whenever I hear anyone say 'you're not the same club' I smile as I realise they've no grasp of what supporting a football club is all about. Football is about emotion, not logic, it's about memories and incredible highs and moments you'll never forget your entire life. It's also about players who help create those emotions and memories. Ray Wilkins should be a footnote in Rangers history and in our memories, but he's not and that's why football isn't about company records, balance sheets and HMRC. He was well passed his prime when he joined, he was a diminutive, balding Londoner, and at that time not an obvious Rangers cult hero. Yet in only two seasons he was able to capture the imagination of everyone who watched him. His range of passing, his ability to find space and his superb work rate, even at that stage of his career, immediately endeared him to our support in a way some players who stay at the club for twice as long never achieve. 

 

It wasn't just 'that goal' either, although it helped. It was the simple fact that that he was a talented footballer who entertained and made watching Rangers a pleasure. Remember, whilst the 'revolution' might have been going for a couple of seasons by then most of us had still endured seasons of Dougie Bell and Kenny Black before that, watching someone like Wilkins was still a revelation. What also became clear was Wilkins was a gentleman off the park too. Patient with supporters and polite with the media he made friends and won admirers. 

 

Ray Wilkins is one of the reasons that football is magical. In only two years he became one of our most popular players, he received a standing ovation in his last match, even Scotsport did a feature on him. That wasn't meant to happen, he was only supposed to be a bit of cover, some experience around the club to help young Durrant and Ferguson(s) develop. Yet he went on to become a player inducted into our hall of fame. After only two seasons. Can you imagine a player today doing that. 

 

I never met Ray Wilkins yet his untimely passing upsets me far more than it should. A wee bit of the magic slipped away, but most of it will stay with me forever.