1956-2018

THE TRIBUTES

TERRY BUTCHER: “It’s a difficult time for all of football, not just his family and friends, because I don’t know anybody that had a bad word to say about Ray at all – on or off the pitch. “He was an absolute gentlemen and a fierce winner. It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to play with him. I just can’t believe it. “We’ve lost an unbelievable character, an unbelievable gentleman and an unbelievable footballer.” PETER SHILTON: “I’m devastated to receive this sad news. Ray Wilkins was a great footballer and well respected by the players. A very sad day for me, we were only laughing together a few weeks ago.” PETER REID: “He was an absolutely outstanding human being. His legacy would be, ‘Win, lose or draw, you’ve always got to have class’, and that’s what Ray was.” SIR ALEX FERGUSON: “I am very, very sad to hear the news about Ray and send my deepest sympathies to Ray’s wife Jackie, his children Jade and Ross, and all of his family. Ray was a great football man, who was well respected and liked by all who knew him and he always had a kind word and time for people. “Ray was an impressive football talent and had a fantastic career representing some of the biggest clubs in the world and, of course, his country England. As a manager, Ray was so popular amongst his LMA colleagues and I know that he will be missed by us all.” GARETH SOUTHGATE: “Ray was a great ambassador for the game, a proud Englishman, who loved playing for his country, and an absolute gent – a class act.” FRANCO BARESI: “It was an honour to have you as a companion, you were special, a gentleman on the field and out. Thank you Ray Wilkins RIP.” PAUL GASCOIGNE: “Such a great loss – he was such a gentleman, an unbelievable player, and the first to succeed in Italy. I remember playing against him, everyone was saying it’s either him or me for England, and I didn’t get a touch, he was brilliant. RIP Ray.” ALAN SHEARER: “So sad to hear the news. He lived for and loved football. I was lucky enough to have worked with him and he was always a true gentleman. He will be sorely missed.” FA CHAIRMAN GREG CLARKE: “Ray Wilkins was a warm and kind-hearted man, who always had time for others. He was a wonderful player, who made 84 appearances for England over 10 years, captaining the team on 10 occasions. He will be much missed.” ANDY SINTON: “He was my idol, my inspiration, my team-mate but, more importantly than that, he was my mate.” JOHN BROWN (EX-RANGERS): “He wasn’t just a team-mate and superb footballer because, when you stood with him on the pitch, you were standing beside a friend for life.”