Ray Crawford is a name that resonates with those who cherish the history of English football, a striker whose sharp eye for goal saw him etch his name into the record books with an astonishing tally of over 300 goals at club level. Moreover, his brief yet impactful international career, in which he found the net for England, adds another layer to his fascinating footballing journey.
PART ONE
Born in Portsmouth in 1936, Crawford began his career at his hometown club, signing as a trainee before breaking into the first team in 1957. His debut came on 24 August of that year in a goalless draw with Burnley, a match that, while not bursting with excitement, marked the beginning of a career that would be anything but dull. However, despite his obvious talent, his time at Fratton Park was limited, as he managed just 19 senior appearances before Ipswich Town, under the astute leadership of Alf Ramsey, saw his potential and brought him to Portman Road in August 1958.
It was in Suffolk where Crawford truly flourished. What’s more, he became a central figure in a side that would achieve the unthinkable: back-to-back league titles. The first, the Second Division crown in 1960–61, was a sign of things to come, but it was the First Division title the following season that cemented Ipswich Town’s place in footballing folklore. In that campaign, Crawford’s lethal finishing saw him top the scoring charts with 33 league goals, sharing the accolade with West Bromwich Albion’s Derek Kevan.
In addition, his form did not go unnoticed at international level, as he became the first Ipswich Town player to be capped by England. His debut arrived on 22 November 1961 against Northern Ireland, and though he did not score, he had done enough to earn another cap the following year against Austria. In that match, played on 4 April 1962, he notched his only goal for the Three Lions in a 3–1 victory.
However, despite his exploits with Ipswich and England, Crawford’s career took a surprising turn in September 1963 when he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. His time at Molineux was productive, as he found the net 41 times in just 61 appearances. Yet, for all his goals, Wolves were struggling, and in January 1965, he moved to West Bromwich Albion.
Nevertheless, his spell at The Hawthorns did not mirror his previous success, as he found first-team opportunities hard to come by. Consequently, in March 1965, a return to Ipswich was on the cards, and with it came a revival of his scoring prowess. Over the next three seasons, he would add to his ever-growing tally, taking his total for the club to 259 goals in all competitions – a record that remains unrivalled.
PART TWO
By March 1969, Crawford’s time at Ipswich had come to an end, and he briefly turned out for Charlton Athletic before dropping into non-league football with Kettering Town. But he was far from finished, as he signed for Colchester United in June 1970 for a modest fee of £3,000. If anyone thought he was past his best, they were in for a rude awakening.
His sole season at Layer Road was memorable, not least for his part in one of the greatest FA Cup upsets of all time. On 13 February 1971, Colchester United, then a Third Division side, faced the might of Leeds United in the fifth round. Leeds, packed with stars like Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles, were overwhelming favourites. Yet, Crawford, defying the odds and his advancing years, struck twice to help Colchester secure a stunning 3–2 victory.
Following that remarkable triumph, Crawford’s time in English football came to an end, as he ventured to South Africa to join Durban City. His single season there yielded silverware, as he won the cup and finished runner-up in the league.
After hanging up his boots, he turned his attention to coaching, first with Brighton and then back at Portsmouth, where he served as youth team manager and later as assistant to Jimmy Dickinson. Brief spells in charge of non-league clubs Fareham Town and Winchester City followed, but by 1984, he had stepped away from management to focus on other ventures.
Even in retirement, Crawford remained a passionate supporter of the game. He worked as a summariser on Express FM’s Portsmouth match commentaries and occasionally did the same for Radio Suffolk when Ipswich were in action. His excitable style, complete with enthusiastic cheers and shouts, made him a cult favourite among listeners.
Adding to his colourful story, Crawford released his autobiography in 2007, entitled “Curse of the Jungle Boy”. The title referenced a nickname he had acquired due to his time serving in the army in Malaya before his footballing career took off. The book gave fans a deeper insight into the man behind the goals, the records, and the legendary FA Cup upset.
Undoubtedly, Crawford’s career was one filled with remarkable highs and occasional lows, but his ability to find the net never wavered, and his name remains etched in the annals of English football history. Indeed, he may not have been a household name in the mould of a Geoff Hurst or Jimmy Greaves, but those who saw him play – and those who suffered at the hands of his unerring finishing – would attest to his undeniable brilliance.