Andover FC Ray Cozzi, who celebrates his 60th birthday this year, started his football at New Street at the age of nine.
He continued playing through his school years at Andover Secondary Modern School, and represented North Hants U15'S
His first taste of senior football came at the age of 14 for Norman Gate Men, shortly followed by his first appearance for Whichurch United at 15.
Cozzi began his Andover career playing a few matches for the reserves at the age of 16, in 1962 before a move to the highly rated Andover Blue Star, where over a three-year period they won most local trophies.
In 1965 Ray returned to Whichurch United in the Hampshire League under Sylvan Anderton (former Chelsea FC player) and helped them to runners-up as one of the top goal scorers - no mean feat for a winger.
Over the next few years Ray played for local teams including Portals, Whichurch, New Street and other junior clubs before hanging up his boots due to continuing back problems.
It was then he began in football management with Testbourne Old Boys, closely followed by his appointment as manager of Whichurch United in 1981
But Ray felt he still had it in him to play and after two years at Whichurch he dusted off his boots and played for Enham in the Hampshire League (Saturday) and Old Brewery Inn (Sunday) at age 40 where he was man of the match in a cup final.
He eventually finished competitive football in 1989 with Hurstbourne RBL, who won the Andover Sunday League.
It was then back to Whichurch to help with the reserves, who went on to win the North Hants League and Cup double and in 1993 Cozzi moved to neighbours Overton United to take over as manager of the Hampshire League outfit for five seasons before returning back to Whichurch for a further two seasons with the reserves.
He also managed Overton U16 who included Kit Symons who went on to play for Portsmouth, Manchester City, and Fulham & Wales and is currently assistant manager at Crystal Palace.
Ray left Whichurch to take up his appointment as assistant manager at Andover and during his time there he has taken on full management position when called upon and has seen the club win the North Hants Senior Cup three years running.
He has seen the club in the final eight of the FA Vase and the league position improve
each year
