Ray Lambert
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Ray Lambert (born 18 July 1922) was a Welsh footballer who played for Liverpool.
[edit] Life and playing career
Born in Bagillt, Flintshire, Wales, Lambert joined the Reds as an amateur schoolboy in 1936 aged 13. In doing so, he set the record for being the youngest ever player to join a league side. He impressed Liverpool manager George Kay so much that he had Lambert sign professional forms on his 17th birthday in 1939. This was just a month before the F.A brought a premature halt to the league season because of the outbreak of the Second World War.
Upon the conclusion of the war Lambert, now 23, returned to Merseyside but had to wait to make his debut, which came on the 5 January 1946 in the first official competition after World War II -- the F.A Cup. Liverpool made the journey to Sealand Road to face Chester City in the 3rd round 1st leg, a game that the Reds won 2-0. Also making their debuts that day were Liverpool greats Billy Liddell and Bob Paisley.
The full-back's first goal for the Reds came via a 77th minute penalty on the 8th October 1949 at Anfield in a league game against Middlesbrough. This also finished 2-0 to the Reds.
Lambert fitted straight into the Liverpool line-up and held on to his place, which might be either left or right back as he was comfortable in each. He averaged 30 games a season for the following decade and become a favourite with the Anfield masses. He appeared in 36 of the 42 league games as Liverpool went on to clinch the first post-war championship by one point over Wolves and bitter rivals Manchester United.
Lambert was also an integral member of the Reds squad that took Liverpool to their first ever Wembley final in 1950, Arsenal were the opponents on 29 April and spoilt the Merseysiders day by taking the cup back to Highbury after a 2-0 win. Liverpool's and Lambert's luck took a sharp turn for the worse as the Reds struggled with their league form and were finally relegated at the end of the 1953/54 season.
Ray Lambert won 5 caps for Wales, his first coming on 19 October 1946 in a British Championship against Scotland at the Racecourse Ground Wrexham, it was a day to remember for Lambert as the Welsh ran out 3-1 victors with all the goals coming in the 2nd half.
Ray finally called an end to his Anfield days just before his 34th birthday in 1956 after playing 341 appearances.
[edit] Career details
- Liverpool F.C (1936 - 1956)† ‡ - 341 appearances, 2 goals - Football League (level 1) championship winners medal (1947), F.A Cup runners-up medal (1950)
- Wales (1946 - ?) 5 caps
- † Ray signed professional forms in 1939
- ‡ Ray's career was curtailed by 6 years due to the 1939 - 1945 war
