# George Ray (footballer, born 1993)

George Edward Ray (born 13 October 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Morecambe. He is a former Wales under-21 international.
Ray started his professional career at Crewe Alexandra and made his first-team debut in the 2013 Football League Trophy final, becoming the first player to make his professional debut in a cup final held at Wembley. He later played for Tranmere Rovers, Exeter City, Leyton Orient (loan) and Barrow.

## Club career
### Crewe Alexandra

Ray came through the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy to sign professional forms in 2011. He was loaned out to Northern Premier League side Leek Town in the 2011–12 season. He made his senior debut for the "Railwaymen" at Wembley Stadium on 7 April 2013, in the Football League Trophy final victory over Southend United – the first player to make his professional debut in a Wembley cup final. On 11 February 2014, Ray signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal at Crewe Alexandra.
In March 2017, Ray revealed that he had considered leaving Crewe, declaring "the first six months (of the current season) were the worst times of my career," but was now playing for a new contract under Crewe's new manager. David Artell had replaced Steve Davis in January 2017 and he recalled Ray to the first team and then made him team captain following an injury to Danny Hollands in February 2017. On 9 May 2017, Crewe announced that Ray had been offered a new contract by the club, and in June 2017 he signed a two-year deal running to June 2019.
Ray suffered a back injury at the end of the 2016–17 season that required prolonged treatment and kept him out of first-team action until early 2018. He made his first appearance of the season at Lincoln City on 24 February 2018. On 5 May 2018, Ray appeared in a Crewe starting 11 who were all Crewe Academy graduates, one of two players (with Ben Garratt) to feature both times this has been achieved. At the end of the 2018–19 season, he declined a new deal and was set to leave the club.

### Tranmere Rovers

On 24 June 2019, Ray signed a two-year deal with League One side Tranmere Rovers, becoming Micky Mellon's first signing of the season. He made his debut in an opening day loss to Rochdale. He scored his first goal for the club in an EFL Trophy tie against Aston Villa U21 on 8 October 2019.

### Exeter City

On 28 June 2021, Ray joined League Two side Exeter City on a free transfer following his release from Tranmere Rovers. He made his debut on the opening day of the season, helping his new side keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Bradford City. He scored his first goal for the club on 27 November 2021, in a 1–1 draw with Rochdale.

#### Leyton Orient (loan)

On 31 January 2022, Ray joined League Two Leyton Orient on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season.

### Barrow

On 27 June 2022, Ray joined League Two club Barrow on a two-year deal having had his Exeter contract terminated by mutual consent. On 1 May 2024, the club said Ray had been released.

### Morecambe

Ray was one of 15 free agents that signed for League Two club Morecambe on 12 July 2024, after the club's embargo on registering new players was lifted.

## International career

Ray was called up to the Wales under-21 side in March 2013, at the age of 19.

## Career statistics

    As of 23 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Leek Town (loan) | 2011–12 | NPL Division One North | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 13 | 2 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2012–13 | League One | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2013–14 | League One | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2014–15 | League One | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2015–16 | League One | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2016–17 | League Two | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2017–18 | League Two | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2018–19 | League Two | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 36 | 2 |
| Crewe Alexandra | Total | Total | 137 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 152 | 5 |
| Tranmere Rovers | 2019–20 | League One | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 1 |
| Tranmere Rovers | 2020–21 | League Two | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| Tranmere Rovers | Total | Total | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 39 | 2 |
| Exeter City | 2021–22 | League Two | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 |
| Leyton Orient (loan) | 2021–22 | League Two | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Barrow | 2022–23 | League Two | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| Barrow | 2023–24 | League Two | 41 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| Barrow | Total | Total | 77 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 85 | 3 |
| Morecambe | 2024–25 | League Two | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 283 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 324 | 13 |
* ↑ Appearance in Staffordshire Senior Cup
* 1 2 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Appearances in EFL Trophy

## Honours

Crewe Alexandra
* Football League Trophy: 2012–13
Tranmere Rovers
* EFL Trophy runner-up: 2020–21