Som United-reporter i lokalavisen Manchester Evening News har han gått fra ukentlige telefonsamtaler med Sir Alex, til å dekke klubben tett også etter at skotten ga seg.
I oktober avsluttet han imidlertid samarbeidet med Manchester Evening News. Det gjorde han etter 23 trofeer på 22 år som avisens United-korrespondent, en jobb han hadde helt siden FA-cupfinalen i 1995.
I stood on Saturday evening and thought about Ray Wilkins during the well-respected applause at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the Manchester derby following the former United midfielder’s death at the age of 61.
After 45 minutes I was wondering what Ray would have made of the midfield action in the first half.
He was an honest, informed gentleman who loved the game and I know he would have been captivated by City’s engine room’s display in that opening half.
Equally, though he was no Bryan Robson surging into penalty boxes and ghosting in to score goals, the Londoner would have appreciated Paul Pogba’s fine performance.
Though the Chilean is not essentially a creative, thinking midfield provider, ‘Butch’ would have recognised the ingenious incisive service Sanchez delivered that helped turn the derby around dramatically in United’s favour.
It got me thinking to the times I initially interviewed Ray at United’s old Cliff training ground in Lower Broughton.
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As I wrote recently about the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, you remember the great quotes and story lines from one-to-ones with certain players.
The mundane responses and chats soon get lost but the more interesting words stay with you forever.
Wilkins was wonderful to interview and the first time I met him in the early 80s I still recall him telling me that he came off the pitch after every match with a bad headache.
I asked him why and he replied that it was because he concentrated so hard for the 90 minutes trying to work out ways of making the pass that would break down defences. It was so intense that he came off with a headache.
I always thought of that when Ray used to get so much stick for some reason when he was an Old Trafford player.
I also recall the time he broke his jaw playing and I went to see him at The Cliff.
His jaw was wired up and he had to talk between gritted teeth. These days that would be an easy excuse from a player not to bother doing an interview. But Ray still obliged.
One of the things that bothered him about his broken jaw most was the fact he was unable to lift his young children up for fear they would knock it and break it again but he had to follow doctor’s advice.
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Cuddles were on hold for a while.
Again he came up with a wonderful line when I asked him how will he know when his jaw is fully operational again, “When I can fit a banana in my mouth!” Brilliant.
Wilkins wasn’t always the most appreciated of players in his United days even though he was such a wonderful guy.
After he’d scored his marvellous curling FA Cup final goal in the 1983 FA Cup final against Brighton I went to United’s hotel in London after the match.
Those were the great days when journalists were welcome behind the scenes and you were able to walk into the hotel and get to speak to players ahead of the post match Cup Final banquet.
No security, or press officers in those days! You could just wait around the reception area and speak to whoever you wanted.
I remember having a chat with Frank Stapleton and we got onto the subject of Ray and that goal in the 2-2 draw.
Frank said, “I know everyone is going on about it and can’t believe it but we see that from Ray every day in training. It was no big thing for us.”
When I moved onto the Manchester Evening News I remained in contact with Ray for the occasional interview about an upcoming Chelsea-United game or to give his opinion on a particular Reds midfielder.
It was always interesting copy.
The last time I actually saw Ray was a few years back at a United Old Boys’ charity dinner.
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I was sat on a table with Frank Stapleton, Martin Buchan and Jimmy Greenhoff amongst others.
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Wilkins arrived when everyone had just sat down but instead of just going to his seat and saying a general ‘hello’ it was typical of Ray that he went around everyone and shook their hands with a warm greeting before he sat down.
It had been a long while since I’d seen him in the flesh so when he came round to me I reintroduced myself and reminded him who I was and when he would have spoken me and know me from.
“There’s no need to introduce yourself, Stuart,” he said. “I remember you.”
I thought maybe that was just Ray making me feel good and pretending he did remember.
But then he came to Jimmy Greenhoff next to me and shook his hand. It was pretty clear that Ray didn’t recognise Jimmy.
Jimmy wasn’t going to make it easy for his old colleague, “You don’t know who I am do you Ray?” He said.
Wilkins hadn’t a clue and was mortified.
Greenhoff said, “You should do, we played together here at Old Trafford.”
Still Ray couldn’t place him and being the lovely man he was, was uncomfortable about it.
Jimmy let him stew for a few minutes but still Ray couldn’t recognise him. Everyone around the table thought it was hilarious. Ray didn’t.
When Greenhoff finally revealed who he was (admittedly Jimmy had put on a new pounds since the 80s and didn’t have that blond hair anymore) Ray, bless him was horrified that he just didn’t know his old team mate. I think we’d had our starters and main course before Ray finally stopped apologising!
That was Ray Wilkins. A lovely, thoughtful, caring and interesting man and a wonderful player as well.
