6th September 1918

Pontefract, Yorkshire

Forward

Ray Wright, who appeared for Exeter City in the Football League immediately after the war, had made league appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the late 1930s. Playing fifty-odd times for the Grecians he moved on to Yeovil Town. Whilst at St James' Park he was known for his exploits as an emergency goalkeeper. 

Ray signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 1936 from Woodbourne Athletic and went on to make 8 league appearances, scoring one goal.

He signed for Exeter City in March 1946 and - with 'wartime' competitions still in operation - featured in the side that took part in the Division Three South Cup (Southern Section) scoring twice in seven matches (including one on his debut against Torquay United at Plainmoor).

His first Football League appearance for City was in the opening game of the 1946-47 season when he scored against Torquay once more. Later that season he had to go in goal for City's reserves at Torquay United on Boxing Day 1947 and was required to do likewise for the first-team on the following day at Bristol City when Barney Singleton was injured (Ray later played the entire ninety minutes in goal for the reserves on two occasions).

After 38 league appearances (11 goals) during 1946/47, Ray failed to score in 18 league appearances during his second season at St James’ Park and made what proved to be his final appearance in January 1948. Moving to Yeovil Town in the summer of 1948 he was to play in the club’s run to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup in 1949 which ended with defeat away to Manchester United. He left Yeovil at the end of the 1951-52 season and took over as secretary/manager of Frome Town in the summer of 1952 combining his duties with running the nearby Bath Arms, 

Ray subsequently emigrated, with his wife and daughter, to Winnipeg in Canada in March 1954 where he lived until his death in August 1987.

Exeter City Football League only.

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