1. Ralph Coates was an English professional footballer who played as a winger.
12 Facts About Ralph Coates
1. 2.
Ralph Coates was an apprentice colliery fitter and his footballing ability was spotted by Burnley's North-East scout Jack Hixon.
3.
Ralph Coates joined Burnley on trial in 1961, and after a period as an apprentice, turned professional in 1963.
4.
Ralph Coates would go on to make 261 appearances for Burnley in all competitions, scoring 32 goals.
5.
Ralph Coates left Tottenham in 1978 and had a short period playing with St George in the Australian National Soccer League, before returning to play for Orient, where he was on the coaching staff.
6.
Ralph Coates played 84 games in all competitions for Orient scoring 12 goals.
7.
Ralph Coates retired from professional football in 1982, but continued to play non-league football for Hertford Heath, Ware and Nazeing.
8.
Ralph Coates played eight times for England U-23 and four times for England.
9.
Ralph Coates was a member of the initial squad for the 1970 World Cup but was not selected for the final squad which travelled to Mexico.
10.
Ralph Coates was married twice, first to Veronica Banks in 1968 and then to Lesley Clarkson in 1981.
11.
Ralph Coates later moved into the leisure industry, managing leisure centres in Chelmsford and Boreham Wood and was involved with Tottenham Hotspur for over 20 years, where he worked as a match-day host.
12.
Ralph Coates died on 17 December 2010 at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust aged 64.