"The death of Ray Wilkins at the age of 61 has inspired a number of famous faces from the world of football to share their memories of the former England midfielder. Known affectionately as 'Butch', Wilkins earned a reputation as one the game's true gentlemen, enjoying a 23-year playing career that saw him represent 11 clubs across four different countries. One of the many young footballers to have had the fortune of playing under Wilkins was Nigel Quashie. The former Portsmouth midfielder played for Wilkins at Queens Park Rangers, and recounted the story of his debut for the club against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Nigel Quashie Ray Wilkins gave Nigel Quashie his professional debut as QPR manager Credit: PA I will never forget going to Manchester United as a YTS trainee to do all the kit and boots in the changing room for the first-team squad. One hour and 30 minutes before kick-off you name the team and I was in it, and that's how my debut went. I didn't even get to think about it because all you said was: you're number 18, here are your boots and shin pads, just go and play, have fun and treat it like you're over the park with your mates. My mum never had a mobile phone back then because we couldn't afford anything like that and everything went through her work or home phone. I asked you after the game if I could call home to speak to her. You said use my mobile and call this number - it was my mum on the other end of the line and she said she was outside by the away team bus. I went outside to see her and asked how did you get here because I knew she couldn't afford it. She told me Ray had got the club to pay for her train ticket to come to the game and then told me Ray got the club to give us our first mobile phone in life during the week and he wanted to surprise me, knowing I was making my debut. Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole also paid tribute to Wilkins. Cole worked with Wilkins at Chelsea where he was assistant manager to Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti. Joe Cole Ray Wilkins lifts the Premier League trophy during his time as assistant coach Credit: Joe Cole Instagram I loved you telling me about Franco Barresi and all the greats you have played with and against and reminiscing about the ""good old days"". Loved our daily chats and arguments about football and will always remember you saying ""You young chappies should never give the ball away, these days you play on bowling greens, we played underneath the grass young man"". But most of all mate I will miss bumping into you and catching up and i always left your company with a smile on my face and a spring in my step. You will always be ""dangerously well"". They don't make them like you anymore Raymond. Ray Wilkins had most recently worked as a broadcaster on talkSport radio Credit: TalkSport Twitter Wilkins had most recently been working for Talksport alongside Alan Brazil and the station's tribute to their former colleague uncovered a number of touching stories. One listener phoned the station to he was a homeless ex-soldier when Wilkins took time to sit down with him when he was at his lowest ebb. According to the anonymous caller, Wilkins took time to discuss the man's addiction issues before giving him £20 for a meal and a bed for the night. He wasn't just a football man, he was a real man. I'm an ex-soldier and I had some time when I was homeless and I was outside of West Brompton station. He came over to me and I recognised him straight away and he just took some time to sit and chat and we were both sat on my cardboard together. He took the time to sit and talk and we were chatting about the army. He gave me £20 and told me to get myself a hot meal. I took that money and I got some shelter and a hot meal. During that time I met a guy who was helping ex-soldiers, who put me in touch with decent people who would help me. Now I'm fully recovered, I'm not gambling, I have my own place, a beautiful girlfriend I'm about to marry and I put it down to the time that man took to give to a man that was nothing to him. He was a real hero to me and to millions of others across the world. Just heard a guy on @talkSPORT telling a story of him being homeless dealing with addiction and depression. Ray Wilkins gave him £20 and took him for a coffee. With the money he got shelter and now is clean of addiction. Amazing story & tribute to the man.— James Stannard (@jimmy_coach) April 5, 2018 Ex-Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris joined former teammates Frank Lampard and John Terry in paying tribute to Wilkins' warmth and sense of humour. Morris, now a coach at Chelsea's academy, shared a training ground anecdote involving Wilkins that referred to his days with AC Milan. Jody Morris played under Ray Wilkins during his time at Chelsea Credit: Jody Morris Instagram Jody Morris I'd been out injured for a long time and Razor [Wilkins] bursts into the treatment room while mid training session and says 'Come on fella let's get you involved... You can be ref as I've had enough of those Herberts moaning'. I came out and took his whistle and he took his watch off and put it on my wrist... I'd been used to seeing Ray with Rolexes but as I was taking the watch off to give it back I noticed it was was an Omega. Me being an uneducated 'young pup' (as Ray would say) and wanting to have a bit of banter with him I cheekily said 'Omega?? Come on Razor I expected better from you'. Ray with his face resembling that 'I'm about to take you to school' look says 'why don't you just have a look at the back of the timepiece before handing it here fella?' I flipped it over and it had a big AC Milan badge engraved with 'FRANCO BARESI TESTIMONIAL' and the date. 'I take it back Razor I take it back'. He just winked at me and walked off chuckling to himself. Ray Wilkins enjoyed two stints as assistant coach of Chelsea between 1998 and 2010 Credit: PA BBC Channel Islands producer Jack Murley recalled an occasion when Wilkins showed empathy during one of his first interview as a journalist. ""A few years back, I had the chance to interview him. I was fairly new in the job, and about as green behind the ears as it gets. Twice during the interview, the recording equipment packed up. ""But each time, he let me start again, smiling and chatting as I fumbled with the batteries until we got the interview in the bag. Other journalists will agree, I'm sure, there aren't a lot of sporting A-listers who are that kind and considerate. We've lost a good one today."" The impression of Wilkins' as a considerate man is reiterated in a short story told by a Queens Park Rangers fan on Twitter. Ben Brennan, QPR fan Ray Wilkins managed QPR between 1994 and 1996 Credit: PA As a QPR mad 9 year old, I spent a couple of years in hospital, on and off, when Ray Wilkins was QPR manager. A friend arranged for Ray to visit me. He brought presents, he stayed, he chatted, he cheered me up, and left with my spirits raised. A few weeks later he came back again, unannounced, and did the same. And then he came again, a few weeks later. And then he came again, and again. Didn't have to, nobody expected him to. He did so, I presume, because he was a really good bloke. As well as a brilliant footballer. Ex-England captain Terry Butcher has revealed Wilkins' hospitality during their time as teammates at Rangers. Terry Butcher Former Rangers captain Terry Butcher remembers Ray Wilkins being incredibly hospitable during their time together at Ibrox Credit: PA I remember at Rangers, where I was his captain, we went round his house every Sunday to watch Serie A Football Italia on his TV. He had this huge great [satellite] dish in his garden and he'd have all the Rangers players and their families around to watch the games. That's what he loved; he loved his family and everybody. He had time for everyone, he took time and made time for them."
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