DURING six seasons as a professional footballer, Ray De Gruchy lifted a league title, lived in legendary player and manager Bill Shankly’s old house and doubled his wages with a deal to sell paintbrushes – and now the 92-year-old Islander has been recognised by his former club.
One of the first Jerseymen to make the move to the UK to pursue a career in pro sport, Mr De Gruchy helped Grimsby Town to the National Division Three North title in 1956 before moving back to the Island three years later.
A JEP article about his career was picked up by Kristine Green, manager of the Grimsby Town Heritage Project, which acts as a hall-of-fame for former players for the club known as the Mariners.
After contacting the JEP, Ms Green sent a certificate for Mr De Gruchy bearing his Grimsby Town “heritage number” which was delivered to the footballer’s Grouville home.
The certificate details the Islander’s debut for the club in a 3-1 away win at Rochdale on 21 August 1954, including the word “scored” – a goal he remembers.
“It was an easy one – the ball came across from the wing and I just had to knock it in,” he said.
“Everyone thought we were going to do really well after winning the first game, but we ended up bottom of the league.”
Finishing last in Division Three North meant the Mariners had to apply for re-election to the Football League, and a successful application triggered a change in fortunes the following season.
Under newly appointed player-manager Allenby Chilton, Grimsby won 31 of their 46 games to lift the title, sealing the feat with a 2-0 win over Southport at Blundell Park in front of more than 23,000 fans.
Mr De Gruchy, who missed just one game across the whole campaign, has fond memories of that season.
“We had a big trip round the town with the shield, with celebrations at the pier and it was all covered by the local television,” he said.
Although moving from a Channel Island to a fishing port in the east of England may seem like a radical shift, Mr De Gruchy said there were similarities.
“It was quite like Jersey and I felt at home,” he said. “People knew the footballers and it was sometimes difficult when you went in shopping on a Friday and everyone wanted to stop you and ask about the game the next day. Grimsby was a wonderful club; the directors knew bugger all about football, but Allenby Chilton sorted them out – he sacked two of the trainers so that we could prepare properly, rather than just run round the pitch to warm up.”
Mr Shankly, who went on to become one of the best-known managers in England during his time at Liverpool from 1959-74, had been manager of Grimsby the season before Mr De Gruchy joined, and his house was allocated to the new signing and his wife.
“It was just Joyce and I in a house with five bedrooms and three bathrooms; we were treated well,” he said.
Playing first-team football brought in £14 per week, and like a number of footballers Mr De Gruchy was able to increase his earnings through endorsements.
“Harris Paintbrushes wanted someone who could go into local shops and sell their products.
“They had reps across the country and you could earn nine pounds a week, 10% on what you sold and a bonus if you were in the top six salesmen across the country, which I managed several times.”
Four seasons with Grimsby came to an end in 1958, when Mr De Gruchy was transferred for a fee of £1,500 to Chesterfield, and after an injury-affected season, he moved back to Jersey with his wife in 1959. The couple set up a guest-house and Mr De Gruchy worked as an electrician.
Former professionals were forbidden from playing in Jersey at the time Mr De Gruchy returned, although he subsequently played for St Ouen for a few seasons after the eligibility rules were relaxed, prior to moving to Australia for four years.
