Ray Laird

{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer and administrator (1942–2019)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Ray Laird |fullname = Raymond Laird |birth_date = 1942 |birth_place = Mackay, Queensland |death_date = 2 February 2019 |death_place = Mackay, Queensland |retired = yes |position = {{Rlp|FB}} |teamA = Queensland |yearAstart = 1963 |yearAend = 70 |appearancesA = 15 |triesA = 1 |goalsA = 14 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 31 |teamB = Australia |yearBstart = 1970 |yearBend = |appearancesB = 1 |triesB = 0 |goalsB = 0 |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 0 |source = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ray-laird/summary.html|title= Ray Laird - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref> |updated = 02 September 2019 }}

'''Ray Laird''' (1942-2019) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s.

Laird first played fullback for Queensland as a 22-year-old in 1963 against NSW and South Africa and was to be a frequent state rep during the 1960s.

There appears to be some confusion between Ray Laird and Robert 'Bob' Laird (a second rower), Bob Laird played for St George in 1962, Ray Laird was playing in Toowoomba and represented Toowoomba in 1962 against Great Britain.

He was called into Australia's Second Test side that lost to Great Britain in 1970 following an injury to Graeme Langlands. Laird was overlooked for the deciding Test that year when selectors opted for goal-kicking Easts fullback Allan McKean.<ref>Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, 1995. {{ISBN|1875169571}}</ref><ref>Men Of League - Vale, Ray Laird. https://menofleague.com/vale-ray-laird/</ref>

Laird died at Mackay, Queensland on 2 February 2019, age 77.<ref>Mackay Murcury - death notice 5/2/2019</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Laird, Ray}} Category:Queensland rugby league team players Category:Australia national rugby league team players Category:Australian rugby league players Category:1942 births Category:2019 deaths Category:Rugby league players from Queensland Category:Rugby league fullbacks Category:Place of birth missing Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen