Famous Players – The 1970’s

Ray Williams

Ray was signed by Vale from Stafford Rangers in July 1972 and left his teaching career behind to become a professional player. He soon slotted into Gordon Lee’s side, and with 11 goals in 49 games in his first season he was the club’s joint-top scorer and was named as Player of the Season

He then hit fourteen goals in the following season as Vale just missed out on promotion by four points. However, and although being a regular in the team, he lost his scoring touch after being moved to play as a winger rather than an out and out striker.

In March 1977 he was sold on to Northwich Victoria for ‘a small fee’ having scored a total of 40 goals in 194 appearances for the Vale, in all competitions.

Ray subsequently returned to Vale as chief scout in 1980 a position he held in two spells until 2011.  He has more recently been a commentator/pundit on Vale games for BBC Radio Stoke.