David Raya completes incredible journey from Southport FC to World Cup challenge with Spain

By Andrew Brown and Amos Wynn. Pictures by Julia Urwin

Southport FC fans will be cheering on Spain in the 2022 World Cup after former goalkeeper David Raya was selected for the Spain squad! 

He is the first footballer to go from playing for the Sandgrounders before going on to appear at the World Cup – and credits his time at Haig Avenue for his career success. 

It is a great tribute to all connected at the club that Southport FC can create pathways in the game for players where future possibilities are unlimited. 

Southport FC has seen a couple of players signing for them in years gone by who have been selected for World Cup squads, including Peter Withe, who was part of the England group in Spain in 1982, and Stan Mortensen, from the 1950 England squad. 

The recognition of David Raya’s talents is shown by the fact that he was selected for the Spain squad ahead of top class internationals including Manchester United’s David De Gea. 

Southport FC Head of Commercial and Operations Steve Dewsnip said: “We were delighted to see David Raya playing for Southport, and it was great to see him recognise his time with us as important for his development as a footballer. 

“Last January we saw Marcus Carver sold to Hartlepool while Doug Tharme went to Blackpool in the English Football League. 

“There is no reason why some of our Academy youngsters with a high level of dedication, hard work, desire and a little bit of good fortune along the way can’t aspire to have a similar journey. 

“Seeing David Raya at the 2022 World Cup is incredible, we are delighted for him. 

“It would be great to see him play for Spain during this tournament! 

“He came to Southport in the 2014/15 season and made 16 appearances for us, while he was on loan from Blackburn Rovers. 

“One of the stand-out games he played for us was his superb performance in the famous FA Cup tie against Derby County in 2015. 

“He went back to Blackburn and was then signed by Brentford in July 2019. 

“Now he is in the Spain World Cup squad – it has been quite a journey for him! 

David Raya at Southport FC. Photo by Julia urwin

“By appearing in Qatar he will be the first person to play in a World Cup tournament having previously played for Southport FC. 

“There are one or two others who have been in World Cup squads who have then come to play for Southport FC in the twilight of their careers, such as Peter Withe, and Stan Mortensen, who had played and scored in the 1950 World Cup finals.” 

In August 2021, David Raya paid homage to Southport FC ahead of his Premier League debut in an interview with Amos Wynn. 

The goalkeeper said that his move to Southport FC helped to shape him as a player and believes others should take a similar path. 

He said: “I reached where I am now because of that loan. You can’t compare it to the Premier League, but it’s just as important. It’s what football is all about. It shows anything can happen in football if you work hard and follow your dreams.

“Young players should see that side of things to make them realise how lucky they are to play football. When you have to fend for yourself down the leagues, it makes you appreciate things a lot more.”

The Spanish goalkeeper first arrived in England as a 16-year-old when he signed for Blackburn Rovers and admits it was difficult arriving at a new club and having to get used to multiple changes in his life.

He said: “The first few months were tough, but I knew I needed to adapt. I moved here in January, so the weather was awful, and the days were very short. It was also a different country with a new language and new people.

“It made me mature a lot quicker than most people my age and made me the man I am right now. I have values now, which I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

“Even as a teenager, Raya was keen to play first team football, and decided a loan move away from Blackburn was the best thing for his career.

“I wanted to be tested every week, I was at the stage where I needed proper football because Under 21s wasn’t helping me, it was a bit fake and too easy.

“Having the chance to play proper men’s football was very special for me. I enjoyed every single minute at the club and have nothing bad to say about them. The fans were incredible and treated me like one of their own.

“It is impossible to forget being in the lower leagues because you discover what the bonuses mean to the lads, as they had bills to pay or another job on the side. It made me realise how lucky I was to be playing at a professional level.”

Raya admits he knew very little about the Merseyside club or non-league football before heading to Haig Avenue in 2014.

“I didn’t know where it was or what league they were in, I’d never heard of them, but I was impressed with everything they were doing at the time.

“On my first day I didn’t know what to take. I didn’t have my own towel or my kit because I was used to having it cleaned for me. I was a little bit lost, but it made me change my values. It’s not as pretty as it looks on the outside, and it is more than just football.”

One of Raya’s stand-out games for Southport was an FA Cup third round tie against Derby County at Pride Park.

This was the final game of his loan spell and he put in an impressive display despite a late defeat to a Chris Martin penalty.

“Everyone played really well, even though we lost, it was a remarkable game, and it was very important to me. We gave it our all because we had nothing to lose, and we showed what we were capable of.

“The Derby game made the boss realise I was ready to take that step into the first team.”

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com