Former Manchester United, Chelsea and England midfielder Ray Wilkins dies aged 61

Former England midfielder Ray Wilkins has died in hospital aged 61 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Wilkins, who turned out for Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan, was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting last week and placed in an induced coma after falling.

He leaves behind his wife Jackie and two children, Ross and Jade.

Statement issued by St George’s Hospital, on behalf of Ray Wilkins’ family: “It is with great sadness we announce that Raymond Colin Wilkins passed away this morning.

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“We would like to thank St George’s staff for the amazing work they have done to care for our beloved Ray.

“We would also like to say thank you for the many goodwill messages we have received from Ray’s friends, colleagues, and members of the public.

“Ray leaves behind his loving wife, Jackie, daughter Jade, son Ross, and his beautiful grandchildren, Oliver, Frankie, Ava, Freddie, Jake and Archie.

“We are asking for privacy at this very difficult time.”

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Wilkins had carried out media duties on talkSPORT and Sky Sports – he was a regular pundit on both platforms – shortly before the incident on Friday.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I am very, very sad to hear the news about Ray and send my deepest sympathies to Ray’s wife Jackie, his children Jade and Ross and all of his family.

“Ray was a great football man, who was well respected and liked by all who knew him and he always had a kind word and time for people.

“Ray was an impressive football talent and had a fantastic career representing some of the biggest clubs in the world including Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan and PSG and of course his country, England.

“As a manager, Ray was so popular amongst his LMA colleagues and I know that he will be missed by us all.”

Greg Clarke, chairman of the Football Association, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear this news. Ray Wilkins was a warm and kind-hearted man, who always had time for others. Through his broadcast work later in life he shared his love and knowledge of the game with millions of football fans.

“Before then of course he was a wonderful player who made 84 appearances for England over 10 years, captaining the team on 10 occasions. His lifelong commitment to the national team also saw him work with our Under-21s as part of his successful coaching career.

“He played for a number of top clubs including Chelsea, where he will always be most closely associated, Manchester United and AC Milan. Such a career underlined his ability as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. Ray will be much missed and my thoughts are with his wife Jackie, family and friends.”

A hugely popular figure in the game and known by most by his nickname “Butch”, he won 84 caps playing for the Three Lions including featuring at two World Cup finals. In 1986 he became the first England player ever to be sent off at a World Cup finals, when he was dismissed against Mexico for throwing the ball at the referee.

He played for 12 clubs in a playing career that spanned 24-years before going into management and then latterly television and radio work, but it was Chelsea, where he was a player, assistant and twice a caretaker manager that he is most associated.

Wilkins, who played for Chelsea, Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers during his 24-year playing career, captained his country during an illustrious international career that saw him win 84 caps for England.

He started his career there in 1973 as a teenager and would go on to play for Manchester United, AC Milan and Paris St Germain. A reliable midfielder, he had two stints at Queens Park Rangers and played for a number clubs before ending his career at the end of the 1997 season at Leyton Orient.

He received an MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1993, and after hanging up his boots, he would go on to coach at a number of clubs, including Chelsea, Fulham, Watford and the Jordan national team.

A statement from Chelsea read: “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.”

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