Raphael Burke was a member of what became the famed Manchester United youth squad of 1992. He arrived at Exeter City for a trial during the following year before briefly playing non-league football within reach of his Bristol home. 

 Although he had featured in some of the games during Manchester United’s 1992 FA Youth Cup campaign, and had been capped by England at youth level, he did not feature in either leg of the 1992 final. 

Arriving at Exeter City after his release from Old Trafford, he played in the Devon and Exeter League and the Football Combination without being offered a contract and, after making a solitary appearance for Yeovil Town, had a short spell at Taunton Town in 1994/95.

Later working in an office as well as on a fruit and veg stall, he eventually became academy coach with Bristol City and ran his own coaching business working with schools and youth organisations.

Giving an interview to the Independent in 2013, and looking back to his time with Manchester United, he admitted that 'I didn't have that hunger at the time. It's best I am honest about it because otherwise you end up blaming everyone else.’