TourIt's a small world… Pittsburgh Red shares special tribute to former LFC man

On Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the USA, which is in Pittsburgh this week, we have been catching up with local supporters along the way to hear their Reds-themed stories.

And one such fan used the opportunity to share a special tribute to Ray Hamblett, who arrived at the club as an amateur player in 1951.

He subsequently turned professional and would go on to represent the ‘A’ team and play in the FA Youth Cup before departing in 1956.

Hamblett later moved across the Atlantic to the USA, and it was there his path crossed with that of the supporter who shared his tale with us.

“Here’s a little story about a Liverpool player,” he said. “My daughter, who is now 52 I think, back in 1990, she played in high school, she played in college and she played for a club team in the south hills of Pittsburgh.

“And the coach of the club team played for Liverpool back in the ’50s; his name was Ray Hamblett. He really taught the kids how to play the game of soccer, or football.

“He’d get mad at a girl if she tried to dribble the whole field by herself! He’d say, ‘You may succeed once in 25 times, but the other 24 you’re going to lose the ball.’ He emphasised passing, not just kicking the ball down the field.

“He was excellent and he coached the team until he had to move to Atlanta for his job.

“I’m sorry to say he has since passed away. He was really good and my daughter never had a coach like him, ever.”