Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Ray Wilkins, 61, Ex-Captain of English National Soccer Team, Dies

Ray Wilkins, an elegant midfielder who captained England’s national soccer team and played for illustrious clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan in a 24-year career, died on Wednesday in London. He was 61.

His death was confirmed in a family statement released by St. George’s Hospital, where he had been placed in a coma following cardiac arrest on Friday.

Wilkins, who was nicknamed Butch, was a gifted two-footed, or ambidextrous, midfielder and an intelligent passer. He began his professional career as a substitute with Chelsea in 1973, when he was just 17. He became a team captain in 1975.