Bio:
Wilkins made his name in the 1970s with boyhood club Chelsea, which he joined as an apprentice, progressing to his first team debut against Norwich City at the age of 17 on 26 October 1973 as a substitute in a 3–0 home league win.
In 1975, following the club’s relegation and the departure of many established players, an 18-year-old Wilkins was handed the captaincy of Chelsea by new manager Eddie McCreadie, taking it from long-time Blues captain John Hollins. He took to the role well, keeping it for four years. He emerged as Chelsea’s key player of that period, leading a team of mainly young players to promotion again in 1976–1977 and, in the next season, consolidation of their place in the First Division. His rapid success, along with his “dark good looks”, also saw Wilkins becoming a regular pin-up feature in British teenybopper magazines.
His elder brother, Graham Wilkins also played for Chelsea.
Factfile:
- Full Name: Raymond Colin Wilkins
- Position: Midfield
- Date of Birth: 14.09.1956
- Birthplace: Hillingdon, England
- Nation: England
- Club Career: Chelsea
- Period: 1973-1979
- League Games, 179
- League Goals, 30
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