On what would have been his 73rd birthday, Scunthorpe United can announce details of a bespoke goalkeeper kit to be worn in honour of legendary goalkeeper Ray Clemence MBE this season.
A traditional green colour with buttons and a collar, the design has been based on shirts back from when Ray began his incredible football career playing for the Iron back in the 1960’s. The shirt has been produced by Macron and will be worn as the Iron’s first choice goalkeeper kit for the duration of the 2021/22 season.
Ray, who went on to play for Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and England in a historic career, sadly died from prostate cancer in November last year after a long fight with the disease.
The club have also been granted permission to wear a special edition version of the shirt at a dedicated fixture to remember Ray on November 13th 2021 when the Iron host Salford City which will be almost one year on from his passing.
Iron CEO, Leanne Mayo, said: “The fixture in November will be an opportunity for supporters to come together and show their respects to remember Ray, who was an important member of the Iron’s football family as a former player and Vice President. Relatives of his family will be in attendance as guests of the board on the day, while we will also be partnering with Prostate Cancer UK, a charity Ray supported and one that his family continue to help raise awareness.”
One man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer; it’s the most common cancer in men in the UK and Ray worked tirelessly to promote the dangers of the disease as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK.
His son Stephen will be walking alongside Jeff Stelling in the Sky Sports presenter’s latest March for Men to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK. He will walk the third day which ends at Liverpool FC, the club Ray joined from the Iron in 1967.
He said: “Scunthorpe United always had a special part in my dad’s heart and he never forgot the special times he had at the club right at the start of his career, and we as a family are touched by this wonderful gesture from the club.
“Prostate cancer is a devastating disease. It was something my dad suffered with for more than a decade and a half. We are an incredibly close family, and it was so hard for all of us seeing him suffer, but he never moaned, never complained. He was the strongest man I’ve ever known.
“I think prostate cancer is a subject that is more talked about now, thanks to dad, Jeff and many others. It’s so important it stays on the agenda, and we are all aware of our risk. This disease affects one in eight men, one in four if you are black, and your risk intensifies if, like me, it’s been in your family.
“I know what this disease can do to families. That’s why the great work from Prostate Cancer UK must continue. There is a long way to go but I know vital progress continues to be made and its brilliant that Scunthorpe are supporting that.”
The replica goalkeeper jersey is available to purchase from the stadium store or online from sufcshop.com now. Further details of the one-off special edition shirt will be revealed ahead of the fixture in November along with events.
Chairman Peter Swann will put out a message to the supporters on Friday ahead of the new League Two season, which will include his own personal tribute to Ray.