Ray O’Brien, born Dublin, Repuplic of Ireland, May 21, 1951. Although Ray O’Brien didn’t make the first team at Manchester United, the defender went on to enjoy a fine career with Notts County.
Ray O’Brien started out his career with Shelbourne before he was transferred to Manchester United for a fee of £30.000 in 1973. The Dubliner failed to make his breakthrough at Old Trafford, however, and was sold to Notts County for £45,000 in 1974. He was given his Second Division debut for The Magpies by Jimmy Sirrel in a 2-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale on the 16th of March the same year and proceeded to play 386 matches for the club, scoring 21 goals in the process. He also spent a relatively short loan period at Division Two side Derby County where he made four appearances for The Rams before returning to Meadow Lane. A Republic of Ireland international, he won five caps for the country of his birth after making his debut in a 3–0 friendly victory over Norway at Dalymount Park in Dublin on the 24th of March 1976. Following his retirement as an active player in 1984, O’Brien would go on to manage Non-League teams Boston United and Arnold Town. Ray O’Brien Playing Career: Shelbourne, Manchester United, Notts County, Derby County.