Ray Parlour

Ray Parlour is a former Arsenal and England footballer.

Nicknamed ‘The Romford Pele’ Ray joined Arsenal as a trainee in 1989.

He made his Gunners debut in 1992 and over the next few years became an integral part of the team.

Over the next 14 years Ray played alongside some of football’s greats including Ian Wright, Paul Merson, Patrick Vieira, David Seaman and Dennis Bergkamp.

A regular fixture on the right-wing or in central midfield, he was integral to many of Arsenal’s successes.

In the 1997/1998 season, Ray was a member of the team who won the league championship for the first time in seven years.

They completed ‘the Double’ in the same season by winning the FA Cup at Wembley beating Newcastle 2 – 0.

Ray was Arsenal’s man-of-the-match during this FA Cup Final win.

Four years later at the 2002 FA Cup Final against Chelsea, Parlour scored one of the great Cup Final goals from 25 yards at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Gradually plagued by knee trouble, he remained a key member of the squad, stepping in for the injured Patrick Vieira in the FA Cup Final win against Southampton.

He also captained Arsenal to their famous 5-1 win against Inter Milan.

Internationally, Ray was capped 10 times by England between 1999 & 2000.

Ray left Highbury in the summer of 2004, shortly after Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ had completed an unbeaten title campaign.

Ray Parlour remains as one of Arsenal’s most highly decorated players.

Since retiring from football, Ray has been a regular on Talksport Radio and Sky Sports.

He is also recognised as one of the most entertaining football after-dinner speakers on the circuit.