Ray Graydon

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.

[martin o`who??]

A player absolutely synonymous with the era i fell in love with football. The 74-75 season when we were promoted and won the league cup - courtesy of his finish from Keelans penalty save - cemented my affections forever.
Good luck the Grayder and thanks for the memories.

[Des Little]

Very slightly before my Villa going time, but I've seen loads of videos of that period, and he was instrumental in our rise.  My Uncle always loved The Grayder too.  Players of his ilk were worth their weight in gold - only sad that they were never renumerated in similar fashion.

[sid1964]

My first Villa hero - the cross for the Andy Gray goal against Man Utd, is still one of my favourite Villa Goals.

[Brend'Watkins]

So many memories of Ray playing for us, he along with Little were my favourite players.  In the late 80s early 90's he was even a neighbour of mine as his house backed onto mine at the end of our long gardens.  I never seen him there and only have the Pool's man's word for it. 

Such a shame he's another former player who has dementia. I can only wish him the very best and thank him for the hours of excitement and goals he scored for the Villa during the mid 70's. That one v Oldham in injury time when half the crowd left disgusted with our performance (in fairness, we were pretty shocking that night) is one of my all time favourite goals. It was at least 70 yards from goal when he hit it.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Loved the Grayder
Seen some old games recently and only enhanced my memory
I was in front of  the goal when he scored the rebound
Love to Ray and the family

It's funny you mention the old games, watching them you realise just how brilliant and important Ray Graydon was for us. His high crosses into the box seem unique but so often fruitful. I was a nipper standing at the fence of the Witton End for most of games I saw him play and don't really remember much. Those highlights are brilliant. I was there too at Wembley, level with the penalty spot when Ray smashed in the rebound.

I briefly met him when he answered the door at Gordon Smith's house. He was a real gent and happy to have a chat with a couple of little Villa fans. Watching and listening to Ray as a club manager was always a delight. His achievements at Walsall are second to none.

Sending love and respect to Ray and his family.

[Rudy65]

If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.

I lived in Dower Rd. I think RG lived off Heath Croft Rd from memory

[Rudy65]

I started watching Villa in 1971 as a 6 year old. My first Villa shirt had Ray’s number 7 embroidered on the back by my Nan. Ray was my absolute hero for the next 6 years.
Make no mistake Ray was absolutely instrumental in our rise from the third division to being 4th in the first in 1977 with two promotions and 2 league cups thrown in as well. What we’d give to win one league cup now!
Ray’s stats particularly in the 74/75 season are phenomenal particularly for a winger. And of course scored the winner in the 75 LC win.
I remember knocking on his house door in Four Oaks in around 1974 and getting his autograph. I seem to recall his wife initially answering the door, calling Ray who came to the door and obliged with the autograph.
Gutted when we sold him to Coventry but followed his successful management at Walsall.

Wish him well and thanks for being a Villa legend👍

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.

I lived in Dower Rd. I think RG lived off Heath Croft Rd from memory

You're right I'm getting my road names mixed up, there's Streather Road and Essex Road off Heathcroft. Ray & Sue lived in one, Andy Gray in the other. We're only going back about 50 years.

[Pete]

He was part of Vic Crowe's one winger system if I remember correctly?
He did without doubt become a star for us as we climbed back from the abyss.
Best wishes and thoughts to Ray and his family.

The one winger system pretty much continued under Saunders IMO. Graydon, Little, Gray. Morley, Withe, Shaw. Any road, Graydon was a class player. Him and Gidman on the right flank, happy days!

[Rudy65]

If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.

I lived in Dower Rd. I think RG lived off Heath Croft Rd from memory

You're right I'm getting my road names mixed up, there's Streather Road and Essex Road off Heathcroft. Ray & Sue lived in one, Andy Gray in the other. We're only going back about 50 years.

You’re forgiven 😆

[Exeter 77]

I was 5 when Ray left Villa, the first player I remember liking to leave, and it really upset me.

[Cliftonville Villlain]

My first Villa hero. What a player.

[PeterWithesShin]

Joined us when we were in Division 3. When he left 6 years later we were a top flight club, had our highest league finish in over 40 years, won 2 cups, with him scoring the winner in one of them, and qualified for Europe for the first two times in our history.

He joined Cov and in his one season there helped them to their only ever top 6 finish.

[ROBBO]

That penalty, Wembley final was one of the last games I saw before emigrating and as such, lives in the memory. Glorious day.