The NRL is mourning the loss of former NSW and Australian representative Ray Ritchie, who passed away aged 78.
Ritchie played 49 matches for Manly Warringah between 1955 and 1959, two matches for NSW in 1957 and one match for Australia in the same year.
"Ray made an appearance for Australia against the Rest of the World and was successful as a player and as a coach for Manly," NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg said.
"Manly made the finals both years he was in charge of the team and they also made the grand final in 1982. He was a grand-finalist as a player and a coach, and contributed enormously to the club."
Manly players will wear black armbands during Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne at Brookvale Oval as a mark of respect to Ritchie.
RAY RITCHIE
Born: October 31, 1936, Paddington, NSW
CAREER OVERVIEW
CLUB CAREER 1955-59
Manly Warringah 1955-59
Games Trs Gls F/G Pts
1955 1 1 - - 3
1956 17 14 - - 42
1957 14 9 - - 27
1958 10 9 - - 27
1959 7 4 - - 12
TOTAL 49 37 - - 111
REPRESENTATIVE CAREER 1957-58
CITY-COUNTRY 1957-58
Games Trs Gls F/G Pts
City Seconds 1957 1 1 - - 3
City Firsts 1958 1 - - - 0
TOTAL 2 1 - - 3
NEW SOUTH WALES 1957
Games Trs Gls F/G Pts
v. Queensland 1957 2 3 - - 9
AUSTRALIA 1957
Games Trs Gls F/G Pts
v. Rest of the World 1957 1 1 - - 3
OTHER REPRESENTATIVE 1956
Games Trs Gls F/G Pts
Sydney v. Maroris 1956 1 1 - - 3
Metropolis v Maoris 1956 1 2 - - 6
TOTAL 2 3 - - 9
GRAND TOTAL
All senior matches 56 45 - - 135
Ritchie made his first grade debut for Manly v Newtown at Brookvale Oval, 20/8/1955 (Rd 18)
He played in Manly's 1957 grand final team
He was selected in Australia’s 1957 World Cup squad; his only appearance in the Green and Gold was for Australia v Rest of the World
He coached Manly’s first grade side 1981-82, guiding the club to victory in the 1982 KB Cup competition and to the 1982 grand final against Parramatta. Manly made the finals in both seasons under his coaching
Source: David Middleton
League Information Services