ARTICLE: Remembering George Bray

[ClaretTony]

Remembering a great stalwart of Burnley Football Club who was born 100 years ago today.

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/remembering-george-bray" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Smashing article about a man I used to see as a very young lad because he was a friend of my father.
I never saw him play because he retired in the same year that I went to my first match at the start of the 1952-53 season and he became a coach. My dad always spoke very highly about him, both as a footballer and as a no nonsense chap!

[mikeS]

Did he once have a sports shop in Burnley?

[ClaretTony]

Did he once have a sports shop in Burnley?

His brother had a sports shop in Nelson

[ClaretTony]

Smashing article about a man I used to see as a very young lad because he was a friend of my father.
I never saw him play because he retired in the same year that I went to my first match at the start of the 1952-53 season and he became a coach. My dad always spoke very highly about him, both as a footballer and as a no nonsense chap!

No nonsense chap - absolutely spot on.

[Rodleydave]

According to Roy Oldfield, just about the only bloke at Turf Moor who wasn't frightened by Bob Lord.
Some good memories and stories of him in the Roy Oldfield book.

[Bfc]

My memories of George go back to 1949, when were neighbours on Mittella St, close to the ground. George and Peggy raised 5 children there. One son Paul was my age and we played together and were often in each other’s houses. Sadly Paul died aged about 4 and with George retiring from the game about that time, it may have been the reason he finished playing so young.

Having known the whole family so well and for so long, I can say everyone of them were/are the most sincere people anyone could wish to meet. George and Peggy came to my wedding and reception on the morning of the 6th round cup tie v Wrexham, before he went down to the ground.
I got a call from Peggy to say I’d better go and see George ( who was in a Home) as he was failing. I picked Peggy up and we chatted with George. The next day I received a call from the family saying George had passed away.
In Georges days of running on to treat players, the sponge and water were carried in a cut open innercase of a football
In his time away from football he spent a lot of time with club secretary Albert Maddox, his lifelong friend.
Another neighbour of his was the Mother In Law of football club chairman Ken Bates.

[rayzer]

Absolutely brilliant Tony. George always had time for a chat with the ball boys, of which I was one, in the 70's.

[piston broke]

Cheers, CT. Fine article and the correct day to produce it. What a coincidence.

[ClaretTony]

Planned to write it on his 100th a few months ago and then ended up rushing it this morning. I always likened him to Les Dawson. He would have you in stitches laughing while keeping a straight face.

There’s a brilliant clip on an old club video from inside the dressing room at Deepdale when we’ve got to the Sherpa Van final. We were set to make a quarter of a million and the champagne was flowing.

Suddenly George walked past with a face like thunder. He claimed there was a sock missing and no one was leaving until it was found.

[FCBurnley]

Excellent article about an excellent man. Loved bowling at Towneley with him and Albert Maddox. Great memories

[Cirrus_Minor]

His brother had a sports shop in Nelson

Great article.

I used to go to Jack's shop many times, mainly for away tickets. What a character he was.

[elwaclaret]

Lovely that Tony. Not the first time I've thought about some of those stalwarts ending their careers with their club on a seemingly terminal downward spiral and not living to see us rise again. George Bray obviously top of a long list. You never got the idea there was any doubt about it just being a matter of time until things turned around when you listened to him. I used to love popping in when I'd been to see Roy, another who'd be smiling from ear to ear with how his first loves have started this season.