Ray O'Brien

[Med Pie]

Don't worry, he's not dead!

Arguably, our best ever left back and I just found this bit of trivia whilst Googling around.

'At Meadow Lane he created a club record in 1979/80 when he became the first full back to finish as leading scorer'.

I wasn't aware of this record, was anyone else?

Edit; Following on from another thread, I see that this site has translated a dash between the dates as a question mark.

[upthemaggies]

1979/80 League goal scorers list....
O'Brien 10, Christie 9, McCulloch 6, Mair 5, Hooks 5, Masson 4, Hunt 4, Blockley 2, Benjamin 2, Richards 1, Stubbs 1, Kilcline 1, Own Goal 1

Ray O Ray O Ray O

[The_Don_ORiordan]

As WB worth a look?

[Thordardaughter]

1979/80 League goal scorers list....
O'Brien 10, Christie 9, McCulloch 6, Mair 5, Hooks 5, Masson 4, Hunt 4, Blockley 2, Benjamin 2, Richards 1, Stubbs 1, Kilcline 1, Own Goal 1

Ray O Ray O Ray O

I do remember him taking and scoring from a lot of free kicks.

[upthemaggies]

Speaking of the Ray O era, have I got it right that "Killer" was only sent off once whilst at Notts? (the one red card I've got Kilcline listed for was v Everton, got booked for a foul with 4 mins left and the ref then sent him off for arguing with him about it).

[magpie_mania]

I do remember him taking and scoring from a lot of free kicks.

Can?t forget the ?Ray O ?..? ringing round Meadow Lane. Did he take penalties as well as free kicks?

[Elite_Pie]

My favourite Ray O'Brien goal was a thunderbolt in open play at Ashton Gate against already promoted Bristol City on 24th April 1976, because our 1-2 win meant we finished above Forest in the table. What a defender he was, fairly lightweight in stature but if he tackled a brick wall the brick wall would come off worst!

[nw6pie]

My favourite Ray O'Brien goal was a thunderbolt in open play at Ashton Gate against already promoted Bristol City on 24th April 1976, because our 1-2 win meant we finished above Forest in the table. What a defender he was, fairly lightweight in stature but if he tackled a brick wall the brick wall would come off worst!

I’m happy to read that, because I have no recollection of him as a defender. It’s the chant I remember above everything else.

He scored one goal for us in the old Division 1, in a 2-2 home draw against Spurs. I have no recollection of that goal (penalty, free kick?). Sadly, the only thing I remember from him that season was taking one of the worst penalties I’ve ever seen - when we lost 4-0 at home to Liverpool but actually played really well and he put the pen well wide at the Meadow Lane (building site) end when it was, I think, 0-0.

[Med Pie]

Can?t forget the ?Ray O ?..? ringing round Meadow Lane. Did he take penalties as well as free kicks?

Yes he did, I remember one game when I mentioned to him after the game, that Allan Curbishly (?) had tried to tell the keeper which way to go for Ray'O's kick in that game (presumably West Ham?) and I remember the feeling of pride on hearing him as he walked away, telling someone else what Curbishly had done.

Edit; 11th Nov 1978 in a 1-0 victory over West Ham

[PedroTheFisherman66]

A free kick on the edge of the box equalled A Ray O' goal !! it was almost as certain as a penalty ! RAY O' used to ring out around the lane when a kick was given on the edge of the box !!