Jack Grealish paid a lovely tribute to the sadly departed football legend, Ray Wilkins, today. On scoring, in the disappointing 3-1 loss to Norwich, Jack lifted his Villa shirt to reveal the writing ‘Ray Wilkins. RIP. xx’
He also tweeted:
RIP Ray ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uiYfh6KFyL
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish1) April 7, 2018
The reaction from Villa fans to the gesture, and to his performance today, have been universally positive. Something you don’t often see on Twitter!
Today may have been a bad result, but there are more important things than football, and this was a really touching tribute, well done Jack!
— Harley Bicknell (@Harley_Bicknell) April 7, 2018
— jaketidy (@jtidy2004) April 7, 2018
Great to see such a young lad show appreciation to a man who had such a big impact on his career. Not enough of this anymore. RIP Ray
— Tyler Greenhough (@tyketyler16) April 7, 2018
A good few more tweets said that the gesture was class by Jack.
Wilkins, who was with us as assistant manager under Tim Sherwood for a short period in 2015 died in hospital on Wednesday, at the tender age of just 61. He was being treated after suffering a heart attack.
Everybody associated with Aston Villa Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of our former assistant manager, Ray Wilkins.
Rest in peace, Ray. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/fk2uzGgseR
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) April 4, 2018
The commentators on the Sky match coverage today explained that Wilkins had stayed in close contact with Grealish after parting company with Aston Villa.
Jack had tweeted on Wednesday:
So upset to hear the news of Ray Wilkins. RIP Ray. Even when Ray left villa, he was always ringing me offering advice and telling me what I could do to improve. A true gentleman and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. ????????❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/SO6FydGMlQ
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish1) April 4, 2018
John Terry had paid his own tribute on Wednesday to a man he had worked so closely with at Chelsea.
Terry said: “At Stamford Bridge today paying my respects to the great man Ray Wilkins. I placed my captains armband on one of Rays pictures as a mark of respect. Ray was our youngest ever permanent captain at 18…LEGEND.”
Fuller quotes from JT are available in The Birmingham Mail.
Forum thread on Ray: Vital Villa Forum Thread – Ray Wilkins RIP
Rest In Peace Ray.