Raif, the son of former Exeter City goalkeeper and coach Mel Gwinnett, was attached to Exeter City from 2003 to 2007 between the ages of twelve and sixteen. He subsequently played for a number of non-league clubs in the Westcountry before coaching in America.

Joining Torquay United after his time at City, he later appeared for Weymouth, Truro City, Paulton Rovers, Bideford, Bath City and Taunton Town.

Subsequently becoming a soccer coach in the United States in Maine, he moved to Arizona where he worked as a techical director of a club in Phoenix.