A host of footballing legends today remembered Ray Wilkins following the former England captain’s death at 61.
England manager Gareth Southgate joined the likes of John Terry and his wife Toni, Frank Lampard and his wife Christine, Les Ferdinand and Dennis Wise for the memorial at St Luke’s and Christ Church in London’s Chelsea.
Also present were former England bosses Glenn Hoddle, Roy Hodgson and Kevin Keegan, ex-footballers Trevor Brooking and Gianfranco Zola, and TV sports presenters Ed Chamberlin, Jim White and Simon Thomas.
John Terry pictured outside St Luke’s and Christ Church in London, while attending the memorial service for Ray Wilkins
Frank Lampard pictured with his partner Christine Bleakley outside St Luke’s and Christ Church for the memorial service
John Terry and his wife Toni (left) joined Frank Lampard and his wife Christine (right) at the church in Chelsea today
Frank and Christine Lampard arrive with former Chelsea player Jody Morris (right) at the church this morning
England manager Gareth Southgate (left) and Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson (right) arrive at St Luke’s and Christ Church
Former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp (left) and BBC Match of the Day host Gary Lineker (right) arrive at the church today
A bouquet with a message of condolence to Wilkins’s family is held outside St Luke’s and Christ Church today
Former England managers Glenn Hoddle (left) and Kevin Keegan (right) arrive for the memorial service this afternoon
Dragon’s Den investor Theo Paphitis (left) arrives with Dennis Wise, while Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola (right) is also there
Bob Wilson (centre, with his wife Megs, left) and Tony Adams (right) arrive at St Luke’s and Christ Church this afternoon
BBC Match of the Day host Gary Lineker also made an appearance at the service this afternoon along with Sky Sports presenter Chris Kamara, former Arsenal defender Tony Adams and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, the club’s chairman Bruce Buck and Dragon’s Den investor Theo Paphitis also attended, along with ex-footballer Trevor Sinclair and Professional Footballers’ Association chief Gordon Taylor.
Wilkins, who died at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, South London, on April 4, won 84 caps for the national side and continued working as a pundit for talkSPORT and Sky Sports before being taken ill a week before his death.
Wilkins – known in the game by his childhood nickname ‘Butch’ – played for 11 clubs and was on the coaching staff of several more. The former captain of Chelsea was described as an ‘absolute gentlemen’ and a ‘fierce winner’.
Wilkins, who leaves behind his wife Jackie and children Jade and Ross, became the fourth player sent off while playing for England when he was dismissed in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico in a game against Morocco.
As reported by Mail Online, Wilkins was living apart from his wife of nearly 40 years at the time of his death but was believed to be close to patching things up before his tragic passing.
According to the Mirror he was given a secret family funeral near his £1.2million home in Cobham, Surrey, attended by his spouse and children.
Crystal Palace manager and former England boss Roy Hodgson, right, also attended the memorial today
Former Chelsea striker Mark Hughes, centre, was also among the football elite to pay their respects to Wilkins today
Ex-footballers Andy Gray, far right, Peter Reid, centre, and Alex McLeish, far left, were also among the invited guests to the memorial
Former Manchester United teammate Steve Coppell and ex-QPR teammate Les Ferdinand were both at the church in Chelsea
Sky Sports presenter Geoff Shreeves, far left, also joined the mourners at the moving memorial service
In the months before his death Wilkins had moved into a rented top-floor flat in Kingston-upon-Thames, South West London, nine miles away.
A close friend of the family said: ‘Ray and Jackie had been having a tough time and he had been living away from home the last few months.
‘But they were still in contact and it was obvious neither of them had ever stopped loving each other.’
The couple were due to celebrate their 40th anniversary at the end of the year.
His son Ross said of the secret funeral: ‘Everyone has their demons, but they’d found a way to deal with their problems. They were on the verge of getting back together, which makes it all the more tragic.’
Sports presenters Jim White (left), Ed Chamberlin and Simon Thomas (both right) are pictured arriving at the church today
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck (right) stands outside St Luke’s and Christ Church ahead of the memorial service today
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte (left) and Frank Lampard Senior (right) are among those paying tribute to Ray Wilkins today
Former England footballer Trevor Sinclair, who played for West Ham United and Manchester City, arrives for the service
Former England footballer Les Ferdinand (left) and Sky Sports presenter Chris Kamara (right) arrive for the service today
A memorial programme for the service for Wilkins is pictured outside St Luke’s and Christ Church in London’s Chelsea
Former footballer Trevor Brooking (left) and Professional Footballers’ Association chief Gordon Taylor (right)
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini also attended the service at the church in London today
Former footballers Peter Beardsley (left) and Paul Canoville (right) also attended the memorial this afternoon
During his career as a player, Wilkins won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1983, scoring a memorable goal in the first tie against Brighton at Wembley, which ended 2-2. He also won the Scottish title with Rangers in 1989.
Following his death, his family said in a statement: ‘It is with great sadness we announce that Raymond Colin Wilkins (has) passed away. 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.’
Among the tributes to Wilkins, Gary Lineker said on Twitter: ‘Deeply saddened to hear that Ray Wilkins has passed away. A wonderful footballer and a delightful man. It was a pleasure to have played alongside him with England.’
Fellow England footballer Terry Butcher added: ‘He was just an absolute gentleman but a fierce winner.’ And Sir Alex Ferguson said: ‘Ray was a great football man who was well respected and liked by all who knew him.’
Wilkins enjoyed a playing career that spanned three decades and he starred for clubs in four different countries. After retiring from football in 1997, he became a manager and coach, most recently at Aston Villa .
He battled poor health including ulcerative colitis over the last few years and was given the all clear after a double heart bypass operation last July.
Two years ago he checked into the Priory Hospital in Woking for a five-week rehabilitation programme after being banned from driving for four years for drink-driving.
Chelsea assistant manager Wilkins (left) celebrates lifting the FA Cup with manager Guus Hiddink (right) in May 2009
Wilkins poses his wife Jackie as they hold their son Ross, in the colours of his father’s club AC Milan, in September 1984
Wilkins on the pitch in 1990 playing for Queens Park Rangers, for whom he made more than 150 appearances
Wilkins fights for the ball against Scotland’s Asa Hartford in midfield at Wembley Stadium in London in May 1981
Wilkins poses in his Chelsea kit in July 1976. He left the club in 1979 for £800,000, joining Manchester United
Yet the popular former Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan midfielder continued to work in the media on a regular basis and was held in the highest regard by everyone in football.
He had carried out media duties on talkSPORT and Sky Sports, performing as a regular pundit on both platforms shortly before suffering the cardiac arrest.
Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins came through the ranks at his boyhood club Chelsea and made his first-team debut against Norwich City at the age of 17 in 1973.
He would go on to play 179 league matches for the club over the next six years having been appointed club captain at just 18.
After relegation in 1978-79, Chelsea accepted an offer of £800,000 from Manchester United and Wilkins was on his way north.
He made 160 league appearances for the Old Trafford club and helped them win the FA Cup in 1983, defeating Brighton and Hove Albion in the final.
In 1984, United sold Wilkins to Italian giants Milan for £1.5million and he spent three years with the club before a brief spell at Paris Saint-Germain and two years at Rangers.
Wilkins returned to London in 1989, spending five seasons with Queens Park Rangers and amassing over 150 league appearances.
He also represented Crystal Palace, Wycombe, Hibernian, Millwall and Leyton Orient in the twilight of his playing career.
Wilkins was called up to play for England by Don Revie in 1976, making his debut against Italy during a tournament in the United States.
He quickly became an established name in the team, helping England qualify for the 1980 European Championships, their first finals in a decade.
In all, Wilkins won 84 caps for his country, captaining the side on 10 occasions and scoring three goals.
Ray Wilkins was a cerebral footballer who never lost touch with the fans during a career that took him from being Chelsea captain aged 18 to AC Milan, PSG and the World Cup
OBITUARY BY STEVE STAMMERS
Ray Wilkins is pictured during a QPR training session in 1996
Finally and tragically, Ray Wilkins found a battle he could not win. He had faced many challenges in his life and handled them all with style and no little class, but the fight to beat alcoholism was one too many.
But the memory of Wilkins should not tarnished by one failure. There were too many successes for that to be the case.
He was mature beyond his years. He always was. That is why back in 1975, Chelsea manager Eddie McCreadie made an 18-year-old Wilkins his captain.
Listen to recordings of interviews Wilkins gave then and it was like listening to Wilkins of recent times. Eloquent, well-spoken, sensible – and above all honest. A born leader. Nothing intimidated him.
For some reason, he was given the nickname ‘Butch’ – a label he despised. It was a curious moniker. Wilkins was all about culture. About accurate passing. About vision. About creativity.
He was very much the definitive old head on young shoulders. When it became obvious to everyone that Chelsea were in severe financial troubles in the mid-70s it was Wilkins who suggested to the squad they take a pay cut, was given the approval of the players and went to the late chairman Brian Mears with the proposal. It was gratefully accepted.
At the age of 19, Wilkins was already an England international and it was the start of a 10-year career with the national team. In May 1976, in the Bicentennial Tournament in America, Wilkins was outstanding in a 3-2 win over Italy. He looked completely at ease and went on to win 84 caps for his country.
In 1979, Wilkins moved to Manchester United. Fazed? Not a bit of it. He handled the move as he handled all matters football in his life. With class.
It was the same when he moved to Italy in a £1.5million move. Few British players have made a successful adaptation to life in Italy. Wilkins was the exception.
Wilkins, pictured in action for QPR against Sheffield Wednesday in 1991, was the definitive old head on young shoulders
He loved the professionalism of life at the Milanello training centre. In a matter of months he learned the language. His cerebral approach to football appealed to the demanding Milan public.
As Milan struggled, Wilkins moved on briefly to Paris Saint-Germain and then to Glasgow Rangers. It is easy to become embroiled in the tribalism that goes with playing for one of the Old Firm clubs. Wilkins refused to do so and made that clear.
Eventually he moved back to west London to be a player and then player-manager at Loftus Road.
Wilkins played his last game in 1997. Such was his love of involvement on the pitch, he finished his playing days at Leyton Orient.
He was assistant and caretaker at various clubs – QPR, his beloved Chelsea and Millwall – helping to take them to the FA Cup final of 2004 when they lost to Manchester United. He was also briefly on the coaching staff at Aston Villa under Tim Sherwood.
Throughout an illustrious career, an admirable quality in Wilkins was that he never lost touch with the fans. They all thought they knew him, especially at Stamford Bridge where he had season tickets. Before and after a game he would shake hands as if he knew them, mingle and in no way act in a prima-donna fashion.
Wilkins, pictured with his wife Jackie at Buckingham Palace in London after he received the MBE in 1993
His football brain was one of the sharpest. He learned from the likes of Ron Greenwood, Dave Sexton and Gerry Francis.
His analysis as a television pundit was always frank but never disrespectful. He made his point without any savage verbal attack on a particular individual.
‘Everyone makes mistakes and it is not fair to highlight errors in a nasty way,’ said Wilkins. Of course he made them himself – and had the ignominy of seeing red while playing for England against Morocco in the 1986 World Cup.
‘My own fault, I should not have reacted in frustration at a decision,’ he said after picking up two yellow cards.
He always faced the inquest – whether it was a setback or a disappointing defeat with club or country. Ray Wilkins was never one to hide. He fronted up, as they say.
However, when the boots were taken off for the last time, it produced a scenario for which Wilkins could not prepare. He could not handle not playing, not being part of that active involvement.
Wilkins is interview by the Daily Mail in February 2014, four years before his death on April 4 this year
Alcohol – the enemy of the player – became his friend. Anyone who knew Wilkins would tell you he was always one strong character, that he faced up to every problem.
Anyone who has a near or dear one who has suffered from alcoholism will tell you it is one of the most evil of addictions.
Wilkins would have ready access to alcohol no matter where he went. It was for so long part of the culture in this country. And he succumbed.
He would drink to socialise but then it became a dependency. To the outside world, there did not appear to be a problem, but inside, Wilkins had demons he could not master.
Finally, Wilkins met an opponent he could not beat. The football world had lost a warm human being who knew and loved the game. It was in his private world that he met his match.