Steve Raffell (1970-2021)

[The Red Baron]

I missed this at the time, but Steve Raffell died in December 2021 from Motor Neurone Disease. He was 51.
He played for Steve Beaglehole's Youth Team which reached the Final of the FA Youth Cup,  and he made 63 senior appearances for Rovers.

[Draytonian III]

Didn’t he go in goal when Paul Malcolm got injured vs Grimsby at Belle Vue, I’m almost sure Richard O’Kelly was the Grimsby player, it finished both their careers

[idler]

R.I.P. Steve 51 is no age and for a sportsman to get MND is doubly sad.

[The Red Baron]

Didn’t he go in goal when Paul Malcolm got injured vs Grimsby at Belle Vue, I’m almost sure Richard O’Kelly was the Grimsby player, it finished both their careers

That's true. He also took over from Paul Malcolm after the latter was sent off at Rotherham.

[Drover]

Wow,did'nt know he had died,terrible and at no age,I remember him in that FA youth cup run.RIP Steve.

[PDX_Rover]

Didn’t know either. Raffs was part of that group of excellent young players. Sad news. Really sad. He was a really nice unassuming guy.

[craigdrfc]

Another who wasn’t aware here. Remember him well coming through that excellent youth team, and breaking into the 1st team.

RIP Steve.

[Wade Falana]

Nice piece about Steve Raffell here.


https://blythspirit.wordpress.com/2021/06/23/born-in-blyth-stephen-raffell/

[graingrover]

Does anyone have the full composition of the Junior team in which Steve would have played against Arsenal in  the FA Youth.Cup ?