This Ray Wilkins story will warm your heart as Nigel Quashie reveals wonderful gesture from former coach

When we lose someone as highly regarded as Ray Wilkins, a small crumb of comfort can often be found in people’s cherished memories.

While there was obvious shock and sadness in the respects offered on twitter on Wednesday when the news broke, former Premier League midfielder Nigel Quashie took his time before sharing his story of his friend.

Wilkins died on Wednesday aged 61 and as many in the game remember the good times, his former player allowed us in with a poignant post on instagram about when his family were struggling the most.

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The 39-year-old started as a teenager under the former England star at Queens Park Rangers and with his mother struggling for money, the touching story showed while we’ll miss popular Wilkins so much.

“I will always be proud to say how lucky I am to have been coached, managed and even meet you,” Quashie posted.

“If it wasn’t for you I would never have started my career playing football and will never forget going to Manchester United as a YTS trainee to do all the kit and boots in the changing room for the first team squad.

“1hr 30 mins before kick off you name the team and I was in it and that’s how my debut went, I didn’t even get to think about it because all you said was your number 18, here are your boots and shin pads, just go and play, have fun and treat it like your over the park with your mates.

“My mum never had a mobile phone back then because we couldn’t afford anything like that and everything went through her work or home phone.

“I asked you after the game if I could call home to speak to her, you said use my mobile and call this number, it was my mum on the other end of the line and she said she was outside by the away team bus.

“I went outside to see her and asked how did you get here because I knew she couldn’t afford it.

“She told me Ray had got the club to pay for her train ticket to come to the game and then told me Ray got the club to give us our first mobile phone in life during the week and he wanted to surprise me knowing I was making my debut.

“I was given a chance by Ray Wilkins one of the legends of the game and to this day you are the first person I mention when it comes to football and that will never change.

“You will be missed so much not just in the football world but as a real human being with such class.

“Thanks for everything and my thoughts go to all the family. Sleep well Sir Ray Wilkins.”