Obituary: Ralph Coates
18 December 2010
Ralph Coates passed away during the week after a short illness, aged 64. He was a product of the famous Burnley academy making his league first team debut at the age of 18, in 1964.
He starred for Burnley for seven years, winning two England caps before his form won him a headline making move to Tottenham in May 1971.
Ralph was the original 'Duracell' midfielder or winger and his boundless energy could be as decisive in the 90th minute as much as the first.
In 1972 he helped Spurs win the UEFA Cup and his place in Spurs' history was assured when he scored the only goal in the 1973 League Cup Final against Norwich City after coming on as a substitute. He was also a member of the Tottenham team that reached the UEFA Cup Final again in 1974.
More of a maker of goals than a taker Ralph still managed to find the net every 10 games scoring 24 times in his 248 appearances. He won another two England caps, as a Tottenham player, and ended his career with Leyton Orient.