Ray was yet another exciting product of the club’s youth scheme in the 1970s. A talented left-footed midfield player whose strong suit was his passing ability, had been feted by the country’s top clubs including Manchester United and Newcastle but when he reached the age of sixteen he chose City. Ray was eighteen when he made his bow at Newcastle’s St James’ Park in March 1977. The form of Terry Yorath and Barry Powell restricted his appearances but he did play in one of the finest games ever at Highfield Road, against Norwich at Christmas 1977, and Ray scored City’s third goal in a famous 5-4 victory with a stunning shot from the edge of the area. However with a strong array of midfield talent at the club – Blair and later Gerry Daly and Steve Hunt were also in competition – a regular place was hard to hold. Ray, who did suffer ankle problems at Coventry, had his beat season in 1979-80 when he played 20 plus consecutive games in a good side with many homegrown players. He scored a beautifully chipped goal at Southampton to earn a 3-2 win but the following season lost his place to Daly.
In 1982, after a brief loan at Bristol City he joined Plymouth Argyle but after only a handful games he suffered a serious cruciate injury, which ended his playing career. With no physio at the club he received treatment at Plymouth’s naval hospital and he had the sobering experience of mixing with numerous Falklands War victims, many of whom had lost limbs. He returned to Coventry and worked as the club’s recruitment officer.
His son Andrew was also at Coventry as a youngster but did not make the first team.

Sent off (2)
1979-80
26 December 1979 v Derby County A, Division One, two bookings
1980-81
16 August 1980 v Birmingham City A, Division One, violent conduct, striking Archie Gemmill