Preston North End FC are saddened to learn that former first team forward Ray Evans has died.

He was aged 76 and passed away peacefully in Chorley hospital with his family at his bedside.

Ray, who was born in India, but brought up locally in Preston, was signed in May 1951 as a part-time professional, having played for the local Catholic College football team.

He started out as a left sided inside-forward and worked his way through the junior teams. On October 3rd 1953, Ray made his league debut at Highbury in front of 61,000 fans due to Charlie Wayman having caught influenza and played inside-left after a re-shuffle of the forward line. Shortly afterwards he scored a couple of goals in Preston North End's first floodlit game, versus Bolton Wanderers in the Lancashire Cup competition.

Evans was still learning his trade and was behind footballers such as Jimmy Baxter, Ken Waterhouse, Eric Jones and Bobby Foster for the inside-forward position. Having said that, he scored two goals in his first five first-team appearances spread over two seasons.



Although tried at centre-forward, Ray's proven position was to be at left-half. He wore the number six shirt 19 times during the 1956-57 season as PNE finished third in the top flight division of English football, playing in two 6-0 wins versus Cardiff City and Sunderland. New manager Cliff Britton strengthened the team when he bought Frank O'Farrell from West Ham which meant that Ray was the one deposed.

When Ray regained his place he unluckily broke his leg at Aston Villa and did not appear in the first team again. In June 1959 he was transferred to Bournemouth along with goalkeeper Mick Lynne for a £4,000 transfer fee. He later joined Morecambe and worked locally as a roofer.

A keen member of the PNE Former Players Association, Ray, along with Roy Hatsell, was instrumental in organising the Association's bowling days in its infancy. PNEFPA send their condolences to his family.

His funeral will take place at St Joseph's Church on Caroline Street in Preston at 10.30am on Monday 6th July, followed by his cremation at Preston Crematorium. Anyone wishing to pay their respects are welcome to attend, and Ray's family inform us that they are happy for supporters to wear Preston North End shirts/kit if they wish.

With thanks to Ian Rigby of the PNE Former Players Association for the obituary.