Early Life
Kennedy was born at Seaton Delaval, Northumberland.
He trained as an apprentice with Port Vale, but at the age of sixteen was told by manager Stanley Matthews that he was "too slow to be a footballer". Considered to be too big and clumsy to be a professional, groundskeeper Dennis Dawson claimed that he was the only man at the club to see any potential in the youngster. Dawson also told how Kennedy was released by the club after he was told "You will never make a pro as long as you have got a hole in your arse!". Kennedy returned to his native north-east and started playing as an amateur for New Hartley Juniors and working in a sweet factory.
Read more about this topic: Ray Kennedy
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