Everyone at the club is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ray Kennedy.

Born and raised in Northumberland, he joined Port Vale as an apprentice but on being released – and close to taking up a job in a sweet factory – he was offered a second apprenticeship on May 6, 1968, this time with Bertie Mee’s Gunners in north London.

Still only 16 years-old on his arrival, Kennedy spent a season playing representative football, before being thrust into the first team shortly after his 18th birthday, coming on as a substitute in the European Fairs Cup against Glentoran on September 29, 1969.