Ray Houghton (born January 9, 1962 in Glasgow,
Ray Houghton (born January 9, 1962 in Glasgow, Scotland) began his football career at West Ham United and signed professional forms in 1979. In 1982 he moved to Fulham and after 145 games and 21 goals, Oxford United paid £147,000 for him in 1985. Ray scored in Oxford's 3-0 League Cup victory over QPR and the start of the 1987/88 season, he moved to Liverpool for £825,000 and took his place on the right side of Liverpool's midfield as the Reds went on to coast to the 1988 League title. Ray contributed with some fantastic displays as a marauding creator from the flank and in his subsequent five successful years at Liverpool, he would make 202 appearances and score 38 goals, winning two League medals and two FA Cups. In July 1992 Ray joined Aston Villa. Villa for £900,000, and helped them win the Coca-Cola League Cup in 1994. Ray had played 117 times for Villa and scored 11 times when Crystal Palace paid £300,000 for him. He spent just under two years at Palace, playing 87 times and scoring 8 goals before signing for Reading on a free transfer on the 15th July 1997. Ray’s career saw him notch up 723 appearances and score 93 goals. He represented the Republic of Ireland 73 times scoring 6 goals, his finest coming in the 1994 USA World Cup, a fantastic looping shot to defeat Italy.
