Ray Warburton started his career at hometown club Rotherham United, before moving on to York City in August 1989. At York, he helped the club win promotion from the Third Division in 1992–93. In February 1994 he moved on to Northampton Town, where he again won promotion to the Second Division, this time via the play-offs in 1997. The following year he moved on to Rushden & Diamonds, where he lifted the Conference National title in 2000–01. After which he joined Boston United, who went on to lift the Conference title in 2001-02. In January 2003 he signed with Aldershot Town, helping them to lift the Isthmian League Premier Division title in 2002–03
💫 #GoalOfTheDay 💫
— Northampton Town (@ntfc) April 1, 2020
Ray Warburton powers home a header to secure a play-off semi-final victory against Bristol Rovers in 1998! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UJc6VSIK1e
Ray spent nearly ten years with Rotherham United and York City before joining Northampton, firstly on loan then for a £35,000 fee. The manager at the time, John Barnwell quoted ‘I have signed the club’s new captain’. In his time at the club, Ray captained the club to two Wembley play-off finals. In his five years at Northampton, he played over 200 first-team games and won the club’s ‘Player of the season’.
He then helped Rushden & Diamonds and Boston United into the football league and although he had left by the time they won promotion to the league he spent two seasons at Aldershot. While playing part-time football Ray bought two houses and did them up to resell. However, he struggled to sell a third and was living on his part-time football wage.
Ray talking to the EFL in 2012, about his time at Northampton Town.
I wanted to stay at the Cobblers, I was desperate to stay, but I just couldn't do it. My wife was coming in to run the business in my absence but it needs two people - we have around 35 members of staff with a full-time care manager and full-time admin assistant.
The gaffer [Northampton manager, Aidy Boothroyd] was different class, he offered support saying we'll help you with sessions and let you get off early and they did, the club kept saying go on, get off. But it wasn't fair.
I had 16 scholars in need of coaching. For me to keep disappearing up to the office wasn't fair on them.
It's typical really. I used to sit at my desk when I worked for the property developer and think to myself how happy I would be if I had the youth team job at Northampton. Something close, something that I love doing - it would be great.
It was then he and his wife Jo set up their own home care business helping the elderly with care and assistance. At the time the business took off he was a coach with the Cobbler’s youth team but pressure of work forced him to quit the game and concentrate on the newly formed company.
Rays bio for his company Home Instead.
Ray Warburton and my wife Jo and I own and run the Home Instead Senior Care office for Northampton.
The majority of my working life was spent playing professional football predominantly with Northampton Town FC, Rotherham United and York City. I spent the latter part of my career with Rushden & Diamonds and Aldershot Town FC. Mother Nature and dodgy knees forced retirement from full-time football in 2005 when I moved into property development. I spent the next 4 years working for a Property Developer just outside London in the role of General Manager/Buyer.
After being made redundant in 2009 I started exploring the idea of running my own business. I wanted to do something that was worthwhile and would make a genuine difference to the lives of others in my local community. In August 2011 we opened the Northampton office. Home Instead has such a fantastic ethos and has seen phenomenal growth in the last 13-years with over 200 offices in the UK. The outstanding growth has been achieved by doing what it does best: delivering high quality personalised care at home for the elderly. Home Instead now has over 45 'Outstanding' offices as rated by CQC & we are proud to be one of them
Out of office hours I enjoy cycling, golfing, watching football, travelling, socialising, eating out, walking our dog and spending quality time with my family.