Ray Lambert, who died on 22 October, 2009, aged 87, was a Welsh international footballer who spent his entire club career – spanning 20 years – with Liverpool.

The highlight of this time was inaugural post-war Football League title which his side won in the 1946/47 season.

The defender from Bagillt, Flintshire, was the youngest ever player to sign for a league club when he joined Liverpool’s youth team in 1936 aged 13. On his 17th birthday he signed a professional contract, but had to wait until after the Second World War to make his debut.

When the league resumed in 1946 he entered a team that included such great names as Billy Liddell and Bob Paisley and the following season he played 36 games at full back as Liverpool beat Manchester United and Wolves to the championship.

In 1950 he was also involved in Liverpool’s first FA Cup Final at Wembley, losing to Arsenal by two goals.

By the time he retired in 1956 at the age of 33, he had amassed 341 appearances and scored two goals. He also won five caps for his country.