After Retirement From Football
Unquestionably the 1966 hero with the lowest profile, Wilson nevertheless caused intrigue after his playing days ended by not staying within the game but instead building a successful undertaker's business in Huddersfield. Wilson retired as an undertaker in 1997 to Halifax. In 2000 he and four of his 1966 team-mates – Hunt, George Cohen, Nobby Stiles and Alan Ball – were awarded the MBE for services to football after a high-profile campaign conducted by sections of the media which was surprised that their contribution to English football's greatest day had never been officially recognised. The other six, plus Ramsey, had already received various honours. In 2008, Wilson was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame by a select committee of ex-footballers. He now lives in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield.
He still lives in Halifax with his wife Pat (three years his junior). They have two children.
Wilson has since been regarded as one of the best left-backs that England have ever produced. Although not a goal scorer, his vision, passing ability and strong runs down the left flank made him an invaluable member of the 1966 World Cup winning side. He is remembered as one of the greatest players to play for both Huddersfield and Everton.
Read more about this topic: Ray Wilson (English Footballer)
Famous quotes containing the words retirement and/or football:
“The student who secures his coveted leisure and retirement by systematically shirking any labor necessary to man obtains but an ignoble and unprofitable leisure, defrauding himself of the experience which alone can make leisure fruitful.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“...I’m not money hungry.... People who are rich want to be richer, but what’s the difference? You can’t take it with you. The toys get different, that’s all. The rich guys buy a football team, the poor guys buy a football. It’s all relative.”
—Martina Navratilova (b. 1956)