Ray King

Early career

King began his career playing wartime football for Newcastle United, signing a contract of thirty shillings for every first-team appearance, plus a £10 signing-on fee. He made his first-team debut at age 17 against rivals Sunderland at St James' Park. In his autobiography, he states that the night before his debut he slept at a teammate's house, and had to sleep in an armchair after the teammate made gay advances towards him in the only bed in the house. The match, the last of the 1941–42 season, finished level at 2–2. However, during an army cup final, he received a blow on his left knee that resulted in synovitis. After recovering from this injury, defender Ron Suart under-hit a back-pass, and the resulting collision between King and the onrushing attacker led to a thumb injury. He rose to the rank of Corporal, and also guested for Chester City during World War II. In goal for the "Seals" at Goodison Park, Everton's Tommy Lawton hit a penalty shot so hard that it broke King's right wrist. He played 15 games at outside-right with his broken wrist in plaster. After his recovery, he continued to play for the "Magpies" in 1945, but again broke his wrist after punching the crossbar in an attempt to save a shot from Bradford Park Avenue's Len Shackleton. He returned from his injury to play under Charlie Hewitt at Leyton Orient. He broke his left wrist in his debut against Northampton Town. He took his plaster off early and again broke the wrist in a reserve…

King made one international appearance for England 'B' on 22 May 1954 when he played the first half in a 2–0 defeat by their Swiss equivalents before giving way to George Thompson at half-time. He later toured with the full England squad but never won a senior cap. He instead sat on the bench as cover for Reg Matthews.

King managed Boston United from 1957 to 1960. The "Pilgrims" were elected to the Southern League from the Midland League in 1958. They finished third in 1958–59 and ninth in 1959–60. He departed York Street after former chairman Ernest Malkensen returned to the club and re-appointed former manager Ray Middleton. He then took charge at Poole Town, who had just released all but one of their first-team squad. He won one promotion with the "Dolphins", as they finished as runners-up of the Southern League Division One in 1961–62. He also led them to the first round of the FA Cup, before they then took Watford to a replay following a 2–2 draw at Vicarage Road. In 1963, he left Poole after only being offered a one-year contract and took the management post at Sittingbourne. However, he quickly left the "Brickies" after the club encountered trouble in paying his wages. King then coached at Oxford United under Arthur Turner. He gave pre-match massages to Ron Atkinson, who he stated had "the meatiest legs I had ever seen". King was offered the management position at Cambridge United. Instead, a pay rise convinced him to stay at the Manor Ground. However, he was sacked by Turner for 'disloyalty' after he applied for the management position at Cardiff City. He made a return to the Football League in November 1971, when he was appointed youth team manager at Luton Town by Harry Haslam. His charges included future professionals Andy King, Alan Biley, Lil Fuccillo, and Dave Carr. However,…

Raymond King, the youngest of three brothers, was born in the Northumberland mining village of Radcliffe on 15 August 1924. The family were evicted from their colliery house after his father was suspected of instigating a miner's strike. They briefly attempted to run a fish and chip shop, but had to give up the business when elder brother Frank accidentally burnt the house down. At age eight, he moved with his family to the town of Amble, where his father had secured a position as a check weighman. After he left school at age 14, King began a five-year painter and decorator apprenticeship. Not long after the outbreak of World War II, he spent two years serving in the Home Guard, under the command of his father. He was enlisted into the army in December 1942. He served in the King's Own Royal Regiment, leading his comrades to remark that "he even has his own regiment!".