On Sunday 17th March, the news was broken that former Cherries legend, Ray Bumstead, sadly passed away in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. He was 77.
Bumstead was signed by Freddie Cox, back in 1958 and went on to score 55 goals in 415 appearances for the Cherries.
Former playing colleague, John Sainty, is quoted in the Bournemouth Evening Echoas saying about Bumstead: "Ray was a magical sort of player. You never knew what would happen when he got the ball. He worked extremely hard. When I played with him, it was towards the end of his career rather than the start. I probably didn’t see the best of him. But I knew and saw him because he lived in Ringwood and I live in Verwood. Our paths would cross a lot in the betting shop and the pub. He was a magical fella and he will be truly missed in Ringwood. A few men have had tears because Ray has gone. He was a character. He would bowl around and always seemed neat and tidy, like his football. A lot of people are very sad".
Adding his tribute, former Cherries manager Harry Redknapp is quoted as saying: "It is a really sad loss. When I lived in Ashley Heath, I used to bump into him in Ringwood and I knew him well. He was a true Bournemouth legend and served the club for many years. He was a lovely man and a fantastic player".
A minutes applause will be conducted before the Bury match on Saturday as a tribute to Ray Bumstead.
Source: Cherries MAD
Source: FOOTYMAD
