'He lived for football'
Ray Wilkins dead at 61: Tributes from the football world pour in as Chelsea legend passes away after suffering heart attack
Former midfielder was placed in an induced coma at St George's Hospital in London on Friday
RAY WILKINS has died aged 61 after suffering a heart attack last week, with tributes from the footballing world pouring in.
The former Chelsea midfielder was placed in an induced coma at St George's Hospital in London on Friday after his cardiac arrest.
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Wilkins leaves behind wife Jackie, who last week tragically revealed the extent of the former star's illness, and their two children Ross and Jade.
Jackie told the Daily Mirror: "The cardiac arrest led to a fall which has meant he’s had to be put in an induced coma. It’s very, very bad."
Footballing legends from across the globe flocked to wish him the best, but tragically, the much-loved Wilkins passed away.
Gary Lineker led the way, taking to Twitter to say: "Deeply saddened to hear that Ray Wilkins has passed away.
Late Ray Wilkins scores incredible goal for Manchester United in 1983 FA Cup final against Brighton & Hove Albion
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"A wonderful footballer and a delightful man. It was a pleasure to have played alongside him with England.
"No teammate was more helpful and supportive. I’ll be forever grateful. Thoughts are with his family. #RIPRay"
Chelsea's official account took to Twitter to pay their respect, saying: "Everybody associated with Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of our former player, captain and assistant coach, Ray Wilkins.
"Rest in peace, Ray, you will be dreadfully missed."
TalkSport commentator Ian 'Moose' Abrahams in moving tribute to late England football legend Ray Wilkins
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A spokesperson for talkSPORT - for whom Wilkins regularly worked - said: "Everyone at talkSPORT is deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of our colleague Ray Wilkins.
"He was a regular with Alan in the mornings and commentated on many live games for us.
"Ray was a delightful footballer to watch in his day and an absolute gentlemen to work with.
"Rest in peace, Ray".
Emotional Frank Lampard pays tribute to former Chelsea assistant first team coach Ray Wilkins
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Manchester United, another of Wilkins' former teams, also remembered the star.
They tweeted: "The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Manchester United are with the family, friends and colleagues of our former midfielder Ray Wilkins, following his tragic passing."
Crystal Palace also took to Twitter, saying: "Everybody at Crystal Palace Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of our former player and coach Ray Wilkins.
"Deepest sympathy to all his family at this extremely difficult time."
AC Milan pay respect to former player Ray Wilkins ahead of the Inter derby
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Ray Wilkins' playing career
1973-79 Chelsea
Wilkins made his senior debut aged 17 at the Blues, before being named captain a year later.
He kept the armband for four years before the debt-ridden club sold him to Man United for £800,000.
1979-84 Manchester United
After joining United, Wilkins' hunt for a first trophy continued to elude him until, in 1983, he scored in the FA Cup final win over Brighton.
1984-87 AC Milan
A year later, United accepted a £1.5m offer for Wilkins from Milan, where Wilkins spent three years - with an appearance in the 1985 Coppa Italia final the highlight.
1987 Paris Saint-Germain
Wilkins spent just four months in Paris sandwiched between spells at Milan and Rangers - playing just 13 times.
1987-89 Rangers
The England star joined Scottish giants Rangers for just £250,000, where he went on to win the league title and Scottish league Cup in 1989.
Wilkins also scored a memorable strike in the Old Firm derby against Celtic - with Rangers fans still adoring the star until his tragic death.
1989-1994 QPR
Wilkins finally returned "home" to London when he joined QPR in 1989 - where he would go on to spend four years.
1994 Crystal Palace
In 1994, Wilkins accepted the role of player-coach at Palace - who'd recently been promoted to the Premier League.
However, he broke his foot on his debut and never played for them again.
1994-96 QPR
He promptly returned to QPR after his failed stint at the Eagles - to become player-manager, where Wilkins enjoyed reasonable success early on.
However, the Londoners struggled after top scorer Les Ferdinand was sold to Newcastle - and were later relegated, with Wilkins leaving the club that summer.
1996 Wycombe Wanderers
1996-1997 Hibernian
1997 Millwall
1997 Leyton Orient
In between his QPR days and retirement, Wilkins had brief, uneventful spells at Wycombe, Hibs, Millwall and Orient, making 23 appearances combined - 16 of which were at the Scottish club.
1976-1986 England - 84 caps (three goals)
Wilkins earned his first England call-up in 1976 under Don Revie - making his debut against Italy in the USA.
He netted a memorable goal, one of just three for the Three Lions, in the 1980 Euros against Belgium, lobbing the whole defence before lobbing the goalkeeper in quick succession.
Wilkins remained a regular in the England set-up for ten years until making his 84th and final appearance in November 1986, having captained his country ten times.
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MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
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Ray Wilkins honours
Manchester United
1983 FA Cup
- 1983 FA Charity Shield
Rangers
- 1988-89 Scottish Premier Division
- 1989 Scottish League Cup
England
- 1986 Rous Cup
- 1977-78, 1981-82, 1982-83 British Home Championship
Individual
- 1976, 1977 Chelsea Player of the Year
- 2013 English Football Hall of Fame
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Aston Villa wrote: "Everybody associated with Aston Villa Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of our former assistant manager, Ray Wilkins. Rest in peace, Ray."
David Beckham took to Instagram to say: "Incredibly sad to wake up to the news that Ray has passed away.
"A man that I’ve always looked up to as a United fan and a player, plus he wore our countries shirt with pride.
"You will be sadly missed! Our thoughts are with your family and friends."
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Meanwhile, Paul Gascoigne wrote: "Such a great loss, just heard he’s just passed away, he was such a gentleman an unbelievable player.
"1st player to succeed playing in Italy, I remember playing against him ,everyone was saying it’s either him or me for ENGLAND and I didn’t even get a touch, he was brilliant RIP Ray xx"
Ray Parlour tweeted: "Absolutely devastated to hear Ray Wilkins has passed away. Great Guy, football legend. RIP Ray"
Piers Morgan added: "RIP Ray Wilkins, 61. England football legend & one of the nicest men in the game. Very sad news."
Peter Schmeichel also took to Twitter to say: "Sad and Shocked to hear of the passing of Ray Wilkins.
"A true football person with a totally underestimated contribution to our sport. One of the best I’ve seen.
Former England football star Ray Wilkins dies at the age of 61
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"My thought are with his family. Rest in peace #RayWilkins @ManUtd."
Rio Ferdinand shared his pain, tweeting: "RIP Ray Wilkins Always so humble & softly spoken whenever I saw him. Genuine lovely guy.
"Watched him live at Loftus road many times for QPR. What a great passer & teacher of the game for any young kids who watched him."
Nathaniel Chalobah penned an emotional tweet, saying: "Really sad news about my former coach Ray Wilkins.
"At the tender age of 15 he put his arm around me and helped me during my transition with the first team. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time. Rest In Peace Ray.
Chris Sutton added: "Heartbreaking news about Ray Wilkins. A lovely man.Thoughts go out to his family. This is so so sad."
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Richard Keys wrote: "There are times when I hate the world - hate the injustice of it all. Right now is one of those times. Why? Why?
"Ray was one of the nicest guys ever to walk the planet. I loved that guy. Thoughts with everybody in the Wilkins family. RIP my friend."
Aston Villa star Jack Grealish revealed his heartbreak, adding: "So upset to hear the news of Ray Wilkins. RIP Ray.
"Even when Ray left Villa, he was always ringing me offering advice and telling me what I could do to improve. A true gentleman and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met."
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Alan Shearer wrote: "So sad to hear the news about Ray Wilkins. He lived for and loved football.
"I was lucky enough to have worked with him and he was always a true gentleman. He will be sorely missed by so many. #RIPRay"
Leyton Orient wrote: "The Club are saddened to hear of the passing of Ray Wilkins. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. #LOFC #OnlyOneOrient"
Dietmar Hamann, meanwhile, added: "RIP Ray Wilkins. One of the nicest and most knowledgeable people in the world of football left us."
AC Milan also wrote: "Goodbye Ray, you will be missed: tonight we're gonna fight like you taught us! RIP, Ray Wilkins."
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Ian Rush said: "So deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of #raywilkins.
"Think everyone knows exactly how much he was respected for the man he was on, and more importantly off the pitch #RIP"
Norman Whiteside wrote: "So sad to hear about the passing of Ray Wilkins, a top guy, a top player and one of football’s nicest gent’s you could wish to meet. RIP my friend."
Phil Thompson added: "Such sad sad news to hear of the passing of Ray (Butch) Wilkins, one of the true genuine people to grace the beautiful game. RIP pal."
Gabby Logan said: "So sorry to hear that Ray Wilkins has died.
"More than a very good footballer, a kind and generous man who always made me feel so welcome in the football family when I started working in the industry. My thoughts are with his family."
Meanwhile, Ruud Gullit added: "RIP Ray Wilkins. I will miss you my friend."
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