Remembering Ray.

It is with great sadness that we pay tribute to the passing of the founder of Learay, Ray Leader.

Ray’s innovation and vision saw the company become the first in the world to supply a professional football club with a custom jacket in club colours. His home club Watford FC were Learay’s very first customer, and the jackets were unveiled at a home game in December 1977 against Halifax Town FC.

Seizing on this opportunity, Ray went on to supply clothing to clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds, Coventry City and The Vauxhall Conference League. Then in 1986, Ray negotiated to become a supplier to the England National Football Team for the World Cup in Mexico in 1986.

During this time Ray became firm friends with Sir Bobby Robson and Graham Taylor, and they exchanged Christmas cards for many years.

Ray was always two steps ahead. Recognising the changes in sponsorship to the football industry, and the effect it would have on a small company in Faversham, he began to steer the company towards corporate clients. Ray and Learay enjoyed much success at clients such as Sainsburys, The Ministry of Defence, Post Office Counters and Shepherd Neame.

Ray was a generous and funny man. The stories he told about his working life will continue forever, and will serve as constant reminder as to what a true gentleman he really was.

Rest at peace, Ray.