George Bray

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For the American obesity researcher, see George A. Bray.

George Bray
Personal information
Full name George Bray
Date of birth (1918-11-11)11 November 1918
Place of birth Oswaldtwistle, England
Date of death 13 February 2002(2002-02-13) (aged 83)
Place of death Hapton, England
Position(s) Wing half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1937–1952 Burnley 241 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

George Bray (11 November 1918 – 13 February 2002) was an English professional

kit man before departing in 1992. In total, his association with the club as a player, coach, kit man and supporter spanned seven decades.[1]

Biography

George Bray was born in the town of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, on 11 November 1918. His older brother, Jackie Bray, was also a professional footballer and represented Manchester City and England. As a youth he played football for local club Great Harwood Town before signing his first contract with Football League Second Division side Burnley in 1937.[1] Bray was married to Margaret (née Phillips), who died in 2012, and the couple had five children: David, Carol, Christine, Susan and George Philip.[2] He died at a care home in Hapton on 13 February 2002, aged 83. His funeral took place at St Matthew's Church in nearby Burnley and was attended by more than 100 people, including former Burnley manager Stan Ternent and former player Brian Flynn.[3]

Playing career

Bray started his professional playing career with Burnley, signing his first contract with the club in October 1937. He soon became a regular fixture in the reserve team but did not make his senior debut for the club until September of the following year. Following a 0–4 defeat to

William Smith at left-half for the next match. He quickly established himself as first choice, making 34 league appearances during the 1938–39 season. He played two matches at the start of the 1939–40 campaign before the league was abandoned due to the outbreak of the Second World War and all records were expunged.[a] During the war, Bray served in Northern Ireland and while there he played as a wartime guest with Belfast side Glentoran, where he played alongside future Burnley teammate Reg Kirkham. In 1942 he was part of the team that reached the final of the Irish Cup before losing 1–3 to rivals Linfield.[1][5]

When the Football League resumed in 1946, Bray regained his place at left-half. Along with fellow half-backs

final of the competition for the first time since 1914. He was selected in the starting line-up for the final but could not prevent opponents Charlton Athletic
achieving a 1–0 victory.

Bray was ever-present the following season as Burnley finished third in the First Division on their return to the top flight of English football. He remained a regular first-team player for the following three seasons, playing 114 out of a possible 126 games, until losing his place ten matches into the 1951–52 campaign to youngster Jimmy Adamson.[6] Bray made his final senior appearance for Burnley on 29 September 1951 in the 1–2 defeat away at Stoke City. After losing his starting berth, he continued to play for the reserve team until his retirement from professional football in the summer of 1952.[1]

After retirement

Upon retiring from playing, Bray joined the coaching staff at Burnley. He was initially a trainer for the club's A team and later assisted the reserves before being appointed first-team trainer under new manager Adamson in 1970.

kit man. He left the club in 1992 but remained an ardent supporter and often returned to watch matches when in good health.[3]

Career statistics

Club Season Division League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Burnley[1] 1938–39 Second Division 34 0 1 0 35 0
1945–46 – – 0 0 0 0
1946–47 41 2 9 0 50 2
1947–48 First Division 42 3 1 0 43 3
1948–49 39 1 3 1 42 2
1949–50 33 1 3 0 36 1
1950–51 42 1 1 0 43 1
1951–52 10 0 0 0 10 0
Career totals 241 8 18 1 259 9

Honours

Burnley

Glentoran (wartime guest player)

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^ Joyce, who includes the expunged matches in the players' records, gives Bray's career statistics as 243 appearances rather than the 241 given in the Burnley F.C. official history.[4]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0-9521799-0-3
    .
  2. ^ "Margaret Bray (Nee Phillips): Obituary". Burnley Express. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Farewell to George, a Turf Moor legend". Lancashire Telegraph. 21 February 2002. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  4. ISBN 1-899468-67-6
    .
  5. ^ Stokkermans, Karel (31 May 2012). "Northern Ireland – Cup Finals". Rec. Sport. Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  6. ^ "George Bray". The Longside Reference. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2012.

External links

  • George Bray at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
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