Sunderland RCA FC grassroots football

Ray won the Barclays Spaces award for SRCA and had to make a decision on how to spend the £1,000 prize. "Well the club gets the £1,000 and the wife can have the extra bottle of champagne" - sums things up really - his wife sent the bottle straight to the club as well.

Ray has been with the club since the 1970s and has done all the roles other than first team Manager. He helped lay the bricks for the main stand when it was built in the early eighties and he has remained loyal to one football club only, when many have disappeared. The Committee agreed that the stand should be named in his honour. Although it didn't help his health when the stand was unveiled - he certainly got a shock!

Having never missed more than a handful of Northern League games since 1982, Ray is a true SRCA supporter. Once, he was travelling as a co-pilot to Billy Todd, our Physio at the time, to an away match. Billy who was driving the car was unfortunate to have a serious collision and whilst in his own words, "trying to free himself from the steering wheel", looks across to check on old Ray who smiles and says "How we gonna get to the match now?" - sums up his passion to see the CA in action.

The committee has promised that Ray will see a new clubhouse soon and success on the pitch. Well let's get at it lads!