Ralph Coates will be remembered by many football fans for his wing play for Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and England in the 1970's.

Ralph hung up his football boots some time ago, but has not lost his sporting touch, as he was recently appointed the new manager of the Marconi Sports & Social Club in Chelmsford.

He was a football 'star' in the 1970's and although today's players wages appear to be escalating through the roof, he does not begrudge them a single penny, and if given the chance to start all over again, he would not change a single moment of his career.

Born in Durham, in 1947, Ralph showed prowess from a young age, and while playing junior football, he was spotted by a scout from Burnley, and was soon playing in the famous claret and blue shirt at Turf Moor.

Ralph, 52, recalled: "When I was in the youth team at Burnley, another young lad was playing for Liverpool, and beginning to make his mark.

''That youngster, who I was playing against in a Lancashire Junior League match, went on to lift several trophies with 'the Reds'- it was Tommy Smith.

"I met up with Tommy again recently, and there were many memories to share".

At Burnley, Coates played under two managers, Harry Potts and Jimmy Adamson, and in 1971, Tottenham manager Bill Nicholson was impressed with the 24 year old's midfield and wing play and signed him for £190,000 for Spurs, a then British record cash deal.

"They were great days at Spurs and the memories will stay with me forever," Ralph said. "I played alongside some great players, Pat Jennings, Cyril Knowles, Martin Chivers, Mike England and Alan Gilzean, to name a few."

In the 1972/73 season came one of the major highlights in Ralph's career, when he scored the only goal in Spurs' League Cup final win over Norwich City at Wembley.

"Every player who has played in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley has their own recollections of the day, and my experience was like so many others.

"You are naturally slightly nervous in the tunnel as you wait to walk out, but when the crowd see the teams coming out, the noise is deafening.

"But I tried to keep as calm as possible, and to score the winning goal fulfilled all my dreams, it was a feeling that I will never forget."

After playing for England under 23s, Ralph was selected by Sir Alf Ramsey to play for the full England side.

"Winning my first England cap was the highlight of my career and my first match was against Wales in a Home International fixture, and although I only won three further caps, it was an honour to play for my country and the great Sir Alf."

Ralph's trophy tally was added to with UEFA Cup winners and losers medals, Spurs having beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1974 but then being beaten by Dutch side Feyenoord the following season.

Ralph, whose partner is Kay and has two children, Lisa and Paul, stayed at Spurs until the 1978/79 season, when he left White Hart Lane to join Leyton Orient.

"I was with the Orient for two seasons, and although I was offered a coaching job there after finishing playing, I did not feel that football management was for me."

Ralph decided to get a feel for other sports and be away from just the playing side, as he said: "I took a sports psychology course and eventually got a diploma, which looks into, as well as a sportspersons playing ability, their mannerisms and mental attitude towards sport, and I have found this extremely rewarding."

He moved on to become the Recreation and Leisure Officer for the London Borough of Barnet and then spent 10 years working for GEC in Borehamwood before taking up his post at the Marconi Club in April this year.

Ralph, who travels in from St Albans in Hertfordshire, was still regularly playing charity football matches up until last year when a knee operation forced him to 'hang up' his boots for good, but he still keeps in touch with several of his former Spurs team-mates.

"Tottenham have a 'Legends Club', where players from previous seasons are occasionally invited to matches at White Hart Lane and mingle with the people who are occupying the executive boxes and the fans.

"It still gives me a buzz when supporters - remember, it was 20 years ago when I left Spurs - come up to me and ask for my autograph and ask me if I remember such and such a match, a lot of them seem to remember more about my playing career than I do!"

If today's footballers, Ralph does not go along with many people's views that the 'stars' of the 1990's are necessarily being paid over the top wages, although he is concerned that the smaller league clubs could soon be priced out of the market.

''When I was playing, our wages reflected the era - I was on nothing like the £30,000 a week that today's top players can earn, but I lived comfortably and was not looking to see if I had the money to pay the next bill when it came through the post.''

''However, I am worried that, with most of the money going to the premiership clubs, several clubs in the second and third division could, very soon, go out of business, unless they get more assistance from those who say that they have all football clubs at heart''. Now settled in at the Marconi Club, Ralph said: ''I am looking to make the club an entertainment facility for all ages.

"We have many sporting activities for the young and not so young and in my short time in Chelmsford, I have seen several roads which are within walking distance of the club and we would be delighted for families to come along and see what changes we have made.

"People may still have the idea that the Marconi Club is specifically for employees of Marconi. This is true, in the sense that GEC employees take priority over members of the public for membership.

'However, non-GEC employees are more than welcome to apply for membership and see what we have to offer, and all new members fees are ploughed straight back into the club for us to continue to improve the facilities.

''I am in the process of setting up a children's programme which I hope will encourage more youngsters to "give us a try".

Anybody wishing to know more about what the Marconi Sports & Social Club has to offer is invited to telephone 01245 269422, and this included corporate membership from large local companies.

Ralph concluded: "I have had a great life as a professional footballer and the Marconi Club has now opened up a new avenue for me. I would like it to go forward with the help of the people of Chelmsford and it's surrounding areas."

A memorable moment . . . Ralph Coates wheels away in delight after scoring Tottenham Hotspur's winning goal against Norwich City in the 1972/73 League Cup final at Wembley.

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