Ralph Coates

Ralph Coates (26 April 1946 – 17 December 2010) was an English professional footballer who played as a winger. Coates played for Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Orient, making 480 appearances in the Football League. From 1970 to 1971, he played for the England national team, earning four caps.

Club career Coates was born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham. He was an apprentice colliery fitter and his footballing ability was spotted by Burnley's North-East scout Jack Hixon. Coates joined Burnley on trial in 1961, and after a period as an apprentice, turned professional in 1963. He made his first-team debut in December 1964, scoring his first goal in a 2–0 win against Leicester City in March 1965. He played 84 games in all competitions for Orient scoring 12 goals.

International career Coates played eight times for England U-23 and four times for England. He was a member of the initial squad for the 1970 World Cup but was not selected for the final squad which travelled to Mexico. He had a son and a daughter. Coates was a Labour Party supporter.

After his football career ended, Coates became a travel agent.

Death In early December 2010, he suffered a series of strokes and was hospitalised. He died on 17 December 2010 at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust aged 64.

Career statistics

International Source: