The Longside Reference

Name: Raymond John Deakin                                                     

D.O.B: 19th June 1959, Liverpool   

Died 24th December 2008                                    

Previous Clubs: Everton, Port Vale, Bolton Wanderers

Burnley

 Signed for Burnley by Martin Buchan

Fee: free transfer

Burnley League Debut: Northampton Town, Home, 17th August 1985

Last Game : Torquay United, Away, 19th May 1991(Play off Semi-Final)

Burnley stats: 269/2 Games 6 goals

'Whoosh' was the Longside roar as club Captain Ray Deakin, cleared another ball, Iconic, reliable, Legend.

Signed by Martin Buchan from Port Vale, Ray would become immortalised in Burnley's heroic last match against Orient back in 1987, he Captained the side and the photo of Ray coming out og the tunnel leaves as many hairs stand up on my back as the celebration pic when Britton scored and saved Burnley for oblivion.

Ray who started out at Boyhood heroes Everton signing as an apprentice in 1975, after impressing for Lancashire Schoolboys and England Schoolboys.

In 1977 Ray Deakin signed his first professional contract with the Toffeemen, but in his four years at Goodison Ray never progressed past the Everton reserve team.

Port Vale came calling in 1981, the Valiant's a forth division side at the time, later that August Ray made his League debut, in a forth division fixture against Halifax Town. His three goals in his first five games(all penalty's) didn't guarantee Ray a regular place in the Port Vale first team, with Ray being constantly played out of position. Ray lasted only one season down in the potteries, leaving in the Summer signing for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. In his three seasons at Bolton, Ray became a regular first at Left Back before moving over to Centre Back.

In 1985 then Burnley Manager Martin Buchan made Ray Deakin his second Claret signing after Joe Neenan, Ray would go on to make 92 consecutive league appearances, Ironically the 92 game of that run Ray would Captain Burnley to ensure the Clarets stayed as part of the 92 League clubs.

His first game in the Claret'n'Blue would be against all conquering Liverpool in a Pre-Season friendly at Turf Moor, Burnley were Blown away losing 1-5, his next game Burnley would not fair much better getting beaten at Gigg Lane to  Martin Dodson's Bury.

Rays League Debut came at Turf Moor against Northampton Town, With Burnley running out 3-2 winners, Rays first Burnley goal would also come with a Claret Victory, a 5-2 Victory on new years day 1986, Wrexham would be the beaten team, he would scorer again 2 days later when he netted the second Burnley goal in a 3-2 win at roots hall, Southend, he netted one more in his first season in the famous Claret'n';Blue this time against local rivals Preston in a 1-1 Draw at Turf Moor.

1986/87 "The Orient Season" Ray played ever game, including the embarrassing defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of Telford United, and the two games against local perennial lower league strugglers Rochdale in the League Cup, where Burnley lost over the two legs 4-2.

The 22 Players used this season, Ray Deakin was the only player to play every game, and on the 9th May 1987 Ray lead out his team, Neenen, Leebrook, Hampton, Rodaway, Gallagher, Britton, Malley, Grewcock, James, Devaney with Unused sub Ashley Hoskins. and the 2-1 Victory lives long in each and every Clarets memories, and its the picture of Ray leading his men out, brings back all the thoughts and fears of that day.

26 Years after Jimmy Adamson lead out the Clarets at Wembley in the 1962 FA Cup final against Spurs, Ray Deakin would emulate one of the Greatest ever clarets when he lead Burnley out against Wolves in the Sherpa Van Trophy final, although we lost that day Ray Deakin and new Claret team mates put smiles on each and every Claret fans face.

In the regular season Ray would net his final three goals for Burnley, a goal in each of Burnleys 4-3 victory's against Carlisle United (Yes both games finished Burnley 4 Carlisle 3), with his last Claret Goal coming against Hereford United in the May.

 The season after Wembley, us fans were expecting great things, after collecting 14 points out of the first 18 available, all omens were looking good, But an injury to our captain, Deakin would only make 14 league appearances in a season that saw Burnley Stalwart Brian Miller step down, with his assistant Frank Casper take over the managers position.

 Frank Casper's first full season as Manager saw Ray Deakin make 34/1 appearances in all comps, at Left back. in 1990/91 Ray Deakin made 44 Appearances in all comps again at Left back. with his final game coming in the Play-off Semi-Final at Plain Moor, where he left his left back Birth to play as the extra man in a five man defence, but to no avail Burnley lost the game 2-0 and with it, the Glory of Wembley and Promotion went with it.

 Ray played 269 Games for Burnley between 1985 and 1991, and was at the heart of Burnley's turn in fortune, Captain for most of it. He lead Burnley out at Wembley, Captained the side to save our entire existence. Ray Deakin Claret Legend.

 Sadly before i finished adding Ray Deakin into Thelongsides hall of Legends, Ray Deakin passed away.

 R.I.P. RAY.