Football community uniting to honour Ray Clemence
Scunthorpe United host Ray Clemence memorial match.
Football community uniting to honour Ray Clemence
On 13 November 2021, Scunthorpe United used their fixture against Salford City, to remember legendary goalkeeper Ray Clemence MBE, who started his professional career with the Iron and was a club Vice President. Almost one year since his passing due to prostate cancer, the fixture provided a chance for supporters to come together in the stadium to celebrate Ray’s life and achievements in the game, having started as a professional with Scunthorpe United back in 1965.
The club used a special edition version of their home goalkeeper shirt in the game, which featured a sublimated signature from Ray and had no sponsors. A traditional green colour with buttons and a collar, the design was based on shirts back from when Ray began his incredible football career playing for the Iron back in the 1960’s.
Ray, who went on to play for Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and England in a historic career, sadly died from prostate cancer in November 2020 after a long fight with the disease. The club chose to support Prostate Cancer UK with awareness messages, a bucket collection before the game and the auction of the match-worn shirt after the game. The Clemence family, including Ray's wife and son Stephen, were also at the game to remember Ray and support the planned activities.
The club also sold versions of the goalkeeper shirt within the club shop, with all proceeds from the sale of these special edition shirts being donated to Prostate Cancer UK.