Kicked out by Port Vale and told by the club's manager, the great Stanley Matthews that he was too slow to make it at the top flight, Ray Kennedy returned to his native North East. He carried on playing in the local amateur leagues, and working in a sweet factory. After all, a man who was probably the greatest player of his generation has given him his cards, and who was he to argue.
Fortunately for him, an Arsenal scout spotted him playing in a local cup game and invited him on a trial with the Gunners. He signed professional forms with Arsenal in 1968, making his debut in a Fairs Cup game versus Glentoran in 1969. That season Arsenal made the final of that competition, playing Anderlecht in the Final. Losing 0-3 in the 1st leg, a young Kennedy came on as a substitute, scoring a crucial late goal. Arsenal completed the come back in the second leg, winning 3-0 and thus securing the clubs first European trophy 4-3 on aggregate.
The following season was to be glorious for both club and player. Ray made himself a virtual ever present in the Arsenal side that swept all before them, securing the title at White Hart Lane thanks to Ray's winner, and three days later defeating Liverpool on a baking hot day at Wembley. Ray didn't score in the final, but was the undoubted star of that season, ending up as the club's top scorer with 27 goals as Arsenal became only the second club in the 20th century to complete the League and FA Cup Double.
He carried being an important player for Arsenal, ending up as top scorer in two of the following three seasons, unfortunately Arsenal found it difficult to repeat the glory of 1971, and remained trophy-less for the next few seasons.
On a sunny May morning in 1974 the city of Liverpool was rocked to its core as the announcement of Bill Shankly's shock retirement reverberated around the place. This was as bigger news to Scousers as split up of the Beatles. Shanks WAS Liverpool, and Liverpool without him was something no-one had considered.
Something else happened on that very day, hidden by the bigger announcement of the demise of the great man. Liverpool announced the capture of a striker from Arsenal for £180,000. Big money in those days. Ray Kennedy arrived at Anfield as Bill Shankly departed. The great man's last act as the manager.
Despite his goal scoring feats at Highbury, Ray was going to find it difficult to get in the side as a centre forward due to the presence of the great Anfield strike partnership of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack. Bob Paisley, however, had a cunning plan. He handed Ray the No. 5 shirt thus turning this burly centre-forward into an attacking left-sided midfielder. Kennedy was a revelation in this position and never played as a striker again. Timing his runs to perfection he would often ghost into the box, defenders left flummoxed as he would slot the ball calmly into the net.
Kennedy became a massive crowd favourite. He epitomised the Liverpool sides of this generation. Cultured, hard-working and calm under pressure. He won the UEFA Cup in 1976, and almost repeated his Double-winning achievements with the Gunners in 1977, as Liverpool came close to capturing the prized domestic trophies, losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup final, Kennedy almost forcing extra-time as his powerful left foot shot struck the upright with virtually the last kick of the game.
Four days later however, Liverpool became the only second club in English football history to win the European Cup, as they defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 in Rome.
Ray went on to secure another European Cup winners medal the following year, and another in 1981. He was also a vital member of the sides that secured 2 more titles and the club's first League Cup.
In his time at Liverpool international honours came Ray's way, playing 17 times for the national team, scoring 3 goals. Many people thought he should have had more caps.
In 1981 Ray left Liverpool to join up with John Toshack at newly promoted Swansea City. It wasn't a great time for the player however, and his career at the Welsh club ended in tears, as the manager (and Ray's ex Liverpool team mate) Toshack accused Ray of not trying.
This was an anaethema to a proud man, from working class roots Kennedy was the last player to accuse of lacking effort. His performances were, however, waning mysteriously. Ray left and returned to his native North East where he played for Hartlepool.
As the season progressed it became obvious that he had a problem, feeling tired and lethargic during and after matches, it became hard to to be selected. He was playing on reputation alone. At the age of 32 (a day before his 33rd birthday, Ray announced his immediate retirement from the game. He went into coaching with Sunderland but the problems that were manifesting himself on the pitch were begining to affect him off it.
After under going many tests, he was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease at the tender age of 35.
Ray was one of those players whose career ended before the money laiden Premiership, and the onset of millionaire footballers. If Ray had been playing today he would probably be gracing La Liga or Serie A, he was as cultured as they come. David Beckham? You're having a laugh!
Unfortunately, Ray fell on hard times. Arsenal and Liverpool played a testimonial in 1991 where 18,000 turned up to salute the great man. As the hard times hit, Ray was forced to sell many of his medals and memorabilia to help him out financially. Both clubs have been accused of not doing enough to help. They could have bought the medals from him and returned them.
Ray Kennedy now lives in his native North East, increasingly immobile and dependant on family and friends to care for him.
I remember going to Ashton Gate ... I would have been 8 or 9. It was a close game, on a
, bobbly pitch on an icy January afternoon. At 0-0 deep into the second half, the ball was slid behind the right-back, and a tall graceful No. 5 latched onto the through ball, controlling the ball when it seemed impossible, with the stricken full-back and centre-half snapping at his heels, and the on rushing goal keper at his feet, he simply lifted the ball, left-footed, into the top right hand corner of the goal.He turns and with a big grin accepts the congratulations of the grateful team mates and returns to the half way line to complete the task of securing another important two points.
Ray Kennedy, I salute you.
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I was lucky enough to see a lot of Kennedy when he was at his peak, and he was one of the all time great Liverpool players.
legend
