Ray Houghton

The legendary Ray Houghton is a former professional footballer, who played in midfield for a number of clubs between 1979 and 2000, most famously Fulham, and Liverpool during the 1980s. He has also played for Oxford United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Reading, and for the Republic of Ireland 73 times. He has now forged a successful media career as a pundit, working for such corporations as RTÉ, talkSPORT, Sky Sports, and LFC TV.

Born and raised in Glasgow, and then in London from the age of ten, Houghton started his career as a footballer at West Ham United. He worked his way through their youth ranks until he signed professional forms as a 17-year-old in 1979. However, after three years and only making only one appearance for the first-team, he moved to Fulham on a free transfer in 1982. He was sold to Oxford United for £147k in 1985, and went on to help the newly promoted to the top-tier side win the League Cup in his first season. He joined Liverpool for £825k at the start of the 1987-88 season, and during his time there helped the Reds secure two First Division titles, two FA Cups, and an FA Charity Shield. After 202 appearances and 38 goals in his five successful years at Liverpool, he joined Aston Villa for £900k in 1992, and went on to help the Villains win the 1993-94 League Cup. He moved to Crystal Palace in March 1995 for £300k, and spent two years at the club. He signed with Reading in 1997 and remained with them until 1999. He ended his playing career at the Conference side Stevenage Borough, eventually retiring from the game in May 2000.

Houghton was a member of the Scotland U18 squad, but failed to win any caps and despite his successful club career was not considered for the 1986 World Cup squad. However, due to his Irish father he could qualify to play for the Republic of Ireland, and he earned his first cap under manager Jack Charlton in 1986. He went on to become an Irish hero, scoring significant goals in victories at the 1988 Euros and the 1994 World Cup. He went on to represent the Republic of Ireland 73 times, scoring six goals.