Ralph Coates

Coates was born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham. He was an apprentice colliery fitter and his footballing ability was spotted by Burnley's North-East scout Jack Hixon. Coates joined Burnley on trial in 1961, and after a period as an apprentice, turned professional in 1963. He made his first-team debut in December 1964, scoring his first goal in a 2–0 win against Leicester City in March 1965. He played 84 games in all competitions for Orient scoring 12 goals. ==International career==

Coates played eight times for England U-23 and four times for England. He was a member of the initial squad for the 1970 World Cup but was not selected for the final squad which travelled to Mexico. ==Personal life==

Coates was married twice, first to Veronica Banks in 1968 (whom he subsequently divorced) and then to Lesley Clarkson in 1981 (from whom he had separated by the time of his death). He had a son and a daughter. Coates was a Labour Party supporter. After his football career ended, Coates became a travel agent. ==Death==

In early December 2010, he suffered a series of strokes and was hospitalised. He died on 17 December 2010 at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust aged 64. ==Career statistics==

in the second leg match of the 1974 UEFA Cup final International :Source: ==References==