Ray Prior

*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.

Ray Prior

Appearances: 2 Goals: 0
Clean Sheets: 0

Date / Year of birth: 22nd May 1941

Position: Goalkeeper

Season of first appearance: 1973/74

Season of last appearance: 1973/74

Also played for: Deal Town, Herne Bay, Dover, Dartford, Canterbury City and Snowdown Colliery Welfare

Goalkeeper born in Eastry, Kent who started his career in Deal's reserves at the start of the 1960's and later had a spell with Herne Bay during the 1963/64 season.

Ray's next move saw him return to Deal and he was their regular first team keeper for the period from the start of 1966/67 to the end of 1970/71. He was part of the side that won the Greater London League Cup on 25.5.68.

Ray then spent three years with Dover and joined Margate on loan from them in October 1973. He played twice, standing in for the injured Steve Bowtell. Ray made his debut as Margate went down 3-1 at Dartford on 27.10.73 and also played in a 2-1 win over Folkestone at Hartsdown on 30.10.73 before returning to Crabble.

Soon afterwards, in December 1973, Ray left Dover and joined Dartford as back-up keeper to John Morton who had also previously played for Margate. He made two senior appearances for the Darts before the end of the 1973/74 campaign.

Ray joined Canterbury for the 1974/75 season where he was understudy to Gerry Armstrong, making five Southern League appearances.

He then rejoined Dover for the 1975/76 campaign and played almost exclusively for their reserves.

During the 1977/78 and 1978/79 seasons Ray played for Snowdown Colliery Welfare in the Kent League before going back to Deal again for 1979/80.

Ray later played in pre-season games for Deal during the summer of 1990 aged almost 50 and then became the club's physio.

His older brother Arthur (born 1938) was Deal's regular centre-back for several years during the late 1950's and 1960's.

Ray died in the Medway area on 30.10.06 aged 65.

SEASON (CLUB)

FULL (MAX)

SUB

GLS

FAC

FAT

SLC

KSC

KMT

1973/74 (MFC)

2 (65)

0

0

SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (17TH OF 22)

4QR

2R

SF

W

GR