In an era when cultured football was something of a rarity in the British game Ray Wilkins shone out in the wilderness thanks to his pure ability, magnificent touch and outstanding natural talent.
A prominent midfielder for the best part of three decades Wilkins enjoyed success at a number of clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Milan, Queens Park Rangers, and Rangers.
Born on September 14, 1956, in Hillingdon, London, Wilkins made his name at his boyhood club Chelsea in the 1970s who he joined as an apprentice before making his first team debut at the age of just 17.
Such was his presence both on and off the field in 1975, following the departure of many of the club’s more established stars, Wilkins was made club captain at the tender age of just 18; a role in which he thrived.
Very much an old head on young shoulders Ray Wilkins galvanised those around him leading a team of largely young players who had come through the youth system back to the top-flight just two years later while establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the land and being voted Player of the Year in 1976 and 1977.
Through no fault of his own Wilkins left Stamford Bridge in 1979 as the club struggled with mounting debts and an £800,000 bid from Manchester United was too good to turn down for a player they would much rather have kept.
In a period of limited success for United Wilkins’ greatest achievement at Old Trafford surely came in the FA Cup final against Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley in 1983 as he scored a curling effort from the edge of the box with what is still regarded as one of the greatest cup final strikes ever on the way to a 2-2 draw and ultimately a 4-0 win in the replay.
Despite an FA Cup winner’s medal being his only achievement with United in a 160 game spell it didn’t stop Italian giants AC Milan paying £1.5 million for his services in 1984 as he joined a growing band of British players plying their trade on the continent and quickly adapted to life in Italy; being taken to the hearts of the Milan fans thanks to his keenness to fit in with the locals.
Playing at the San Siro Wilkins enjoyed the time and space he was afforded by the Italian game, a luxury that he rarely experienced playing in England and was pivotal in helping Milan reach the Coppa Italia in 1985.
After a brief spell with Paris St Germain in 1987 Wilkins was eventually tempted back to these shores to join Glasgow Rangers under the management of Graeme Souness and during his time at Ibrox won the Scottish league title in 1989 and the Scottish League Cup, while also scoring a memorable goal in an Old Firm derby against Celtic which would forever endear him to the club’s supporters.
After a decade on the road Wilkins and his family returned to the capital when he signed for Queens Park Rangers in 1989 and enjoyed four years at Loftus Road during the twilight of his playing days before embarking on a management and coaching career which saw him take-up roles at Crystal Palace, Fulham, Millwall, QPR, Aston Villa and his beloved Chelsea again as recently as 2010 under Carlo Ancelotti.
For England Wilkins received 84 caps in a decade-long international career and captained his country on 10 occasions, remaining something of an ever-present throughout much of the late 1970s and 1980s, often when players based abroad were overlooked by their country, and playing the World Cup finals of 1982 and 1986.
In more recent years Wilkins had also become known for his work on television and radio as a respected pundit, sharing his vast knowledge of the game in an informative yet informal manner, meaning he was as popular with those who hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing him play as those who had cheered him on from the terraces.
Ray Colin Wilkins: 14 September 1956 – 4 April 2018
