Ralph Coates

[basil6345789]

Does anybody remember Ralphie being nicknamed "Chunky"

[ClaretTony]

Don’t recall it

[Juan Tanamera]

Not by any Burnley fans as I can recall.

[basil6345789]

Not by any Burnley fans as I can recall.

Probably a Burnley Grammar School thing?
We used to call it him there.

[ClaretCliff]

Yes, I remember Chunky as his nickname. Not limited to Burnley Grammar, I was at Haslingden Grammar.
It wasn’t just used at school though, It was commonly heard in the crowd with people shouting “p*ss round him, Chunky” as Coates approached a defender with the ball at his feet.

Great player, btw.

[basil6345789]

Yes, I remember Chunky as his nickname. Not limited to Burnley Grammar, I was at Haslingden Grammar.
It wasn’t just used at school though, It was commonly heard in the crowd with people shouting “p*ss round him, Chunky” as Coates approached a defender with the ball at his feet.

Great player, btw.

Great at crossing the ball whilst falling over - such was his pace.
Watched him come up through The Reserves, with a dozen other greats.

[Silkyskills1]

Great at crossing the ball whilst falling over - such was his pace.
Watched him come up through The Reserves, with a dozen other greats.

Agree. Tremendously gifted player and extremely brave,too. Going to reserve games in the early 60's was an absolute treat with players queueing up to get a taste of first team.action. Brian O'Neil stood out for me but there were so many worthy of First division football that didn't get much of a chance with us.

[Rowls]

Yes, I remember Chunky as his nickname. Not limited to Burnley Grammar, I was at Haslingden Grammar.
It wasn’t just used at school though, It was commonly heard in the crowd with people shouting “p*ss round him, Chunky” as Coates approached a defender with the ball at his feet.

Great player, btw.

Why is your computer censoring the word 'pass'???

[ClaretCliff]

Why is your computer censoring the word 'pass'???

[IanMcL]

Ralph Coates.
A God of Burnley football.

[nil_desperandum]

Ralph Coates.
A God of Burnley football.

Correction:
A God of Football
Still just about my favourite Burnley player ever, and there's some stiff competition.

[IanMcL]

I wouldn't argue with you n_d.
I also loved our Ralph and am so pleased I can say I saw him control whole games, all by himself!

[Volvoclaret]

I don't remember him being called Chunky at BGS but my favourite player in Claret an blue.

[Grumps]

One of my first favourite players, never heard him called chunky though

[Silkyskills1]

Only 20 years old when he sat on the ball at Ewood Park on New Year's Day 1966. Wonderfully iconic moment of watching us in the 60's. 'Come and get it'

[Cirrus_Minor]

I certainly remember Coates being called chunky. No prizes for guessing why if you ever saw him, but boy what a player. My all time favourite.

[daveyclaret]

I can also remember him being called Chunky due to his upper body shape.

He was a great player for the Clarets starting out on the wing then moving inside to be a midfield general. After Brian O'Neil left, who was also an outstanding player for the Clarets, Ralph was the favourite player of many Clarets fans.

Scored some outstanding goals did Ralphie. One of his best I saw was in January 1970, the FA Cup replay with Chelsea at the Turf. The goal was scored in the first half at the Beehole End when Ralph had the ball out on the right wing and cut inside and hit a screamer from 20 odd yards into the top corner of the net leaving Bonetti helpless and grasping fresh air. In the second half Chelsea clogged Ralph out of the game and they eventually won 3-1 after extra time and then went on to win the FA Cup beating Leeds in the Final which went to replay at Old Trafford.

Another memory I have of Ralph was the pre season friendly with Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park, August 1971 if I recall correctly. I was waiting for the Burnley Team Bus to arrive at the ground. When it arrived, Ralph was one of the first off the bus and he went straight to the side boot of the bus and got out the basket containing the team's strip and, with someone whom I didn't recognise, carried the basket into Ayresome Park. I said hello to Ralph and he nodded and said hello back. That game at Middlesbrough was the one where Martin Dobson broke his leg.

[longsidetrumpet]

Basil6345789 could fill a chunky exercise book with a list of the people he gave nicknames to

[Woodleyclaret]

I saw his goal v Chelsea in the FA Cup after we drew 3 -3 at the Bridge to force the replay
The crowd I recall was a record for those times at Turf Moor ?

[claretgimmer]

2-2 at Stamford Bridge, two late goals from Dobbo before we had to run like **** to the coaches !! Happy days apparently

[Cirrus_Minor]

I also remember the goal against Chelsea for the game mentioned above. Ralph used to have trick of flicking the ball and I think he used this for the goal. He was running the show until Harris did a hatchet job on him.

[warksclaret]

I saw Ralph at quite a few away games in my early teens, with me living in Warwickshire. If the opposition won a free kick he would go and get the ball and carry it to the opposition, so they could take the free kick. It would generate applause from the home crowd. Something you just don't see today with "game management" being the bigger focus

[basil6345789]

Basil6345789 could fill a chunky exercise book with a list of the people he gave nicknames to

Yes, Waligator.

[houseboy]

I can also remember him being called Chunky due to his upper body shape.

He was a great player for the Clarets starting out on the wing then moving inside to be a midfield general. After Brian O'Neil left, who was also an outstanding player for the Clarets, Ralph was the favourite player of many Clarets fans.

Scored some outstanding goals did Ralphie. One of his best I saw was in January 1970, the FA Cup replay with Chelsea at the Turf. The goal was scored in the first half at the Beehole End when Ralph had the ball out on the right wing and cut inside and hit a screamer from 20 odd yards into the top corner of the net leaving Bonetti helpless and grasping fresh air. In the second half Chelsea clogged Ralph out of the game and they eventually won 3-1 after extra time and then went on to win the FA Cup beating Leeds in the Final which went to replay at Old Trafford.

Another memory I have of Ralph was the pre season friendly with Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park, August 1971 if I recall correctly. I was waiting for the Burnley Team Bus to arrive at the ground. When it arrived, Ralph was one of the first off the bus and he went straight to the side boot of the bus and got out the basket containing the team's strip and, with someone whom I didn't recognise, carried the basket into Ayresome Park. I said hello to Ralph and he nodded and said hello back. That game at Middlesbrough was the one where Martin Dobson broke his leg.

I was at both those games. Seem to recall the Chelsea game was his birthday (I think). The first game at Chelsea ended 2-2 and was the first away game I ever attended.
The game at Ayersome was a disaster, I could have cried as they carried Dobson off.

[crundale]

Daveyclaret. Just as I remember it! The Chelsea game was my first game ever and so Ralph's goal was my first Burnley goal. (First team). Have tried to find TV footage of it but no luck so far. The net bulging and the roar of the crowd...unforgetable.

[crundale]

Daveyclaret. Just as I remember it! The Chelsea game was my first game ever and so Ralph's goal was my first Burnley goal. (First team). Have tried to find TV footage of it but no luck so far. The net bulging and the roar of the crowd...unforgetable.

[RalphCoatesComb]

I saw his goal v Chelsea in the FA Cup after we drew 3 -3 at the Bridge to force the replay
The crowd I recall was a record for those times at Turf Moor ?

I have such wonderful memories of Chunky Ralphie. That one v Chelski is one of the GREATS

His performance v Leeds 5-1 was something else