And it was no different for the current Arsenal stopper during the loan spell at Southport that launched his career.
When Gary Brabin returned to the Sandgrounders as manager in October 2014, he knew he was working with a special talent.
“I remember being blown away by how agile he was,” Brabin said of the Spaniard. “I was really impressed with him. I like my goalies to be good with their feet and he was excellent. He kept on backing it up with good performances in games.
“At the time, I was coming out publicly and saying, ‘He’s a top keeper. He’ll play in the Premier League and he’ll play for Spain.’ People must have thought I was losing the plot, but I rated him that highly.”
Raya arrived at Southport just a couple of weeks before Brabin was appointed. The 19-year-old had just signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers but had no senior appearances to call on. It wasn’t an obvious transfer target for a side struggling in the fifth tier.
“The profile of David probably wouldn’t have been appealing, especially for a Non-League club, so it was quite a risk really,” admits Brabin. “But when you’re working with players, you see their qualities more and he was certainly one that really impressed me. I knew he was a lot better than that level. I could see straightaway the potential he had.”
Denne historien er fra December 31, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 31, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BRENNAN STINGS 'MOANY' BEES!
FRUSTRATED Dean Brennan has lashed out at the \"miserable, moany\" Barnet boo boys and urged them to get behind the team in their bid for promotion.
ACE REED WAITED TO MAKE A MARK
WHEN Mark Reed sensed his manager turn around to look his way on Tuesday night, he knew what was coming next.
CHURCH HAILS TEENAGE KICKS
DEBUTANT Dan Shaw got his teenage kicks with the rocket that fired Alvechurch to the top of the table.
LEES SO PROUD OF HIS SHAKERS
SUPER Shakers made it 14 games unbeaten this season after easing to victory against struggling NPL outfit Blyth Spartans.
SEVEN-UP A STONES
RONAN Silva turned in a four-star display as Salisbury highlighted the three-division difference in quality against their Wessex Premier opponents.
HORGAN'S RELIEF AT TOWN SIX APPEAL
CHIPPENHAM Town heeded manager Gary Horgan's prematch warning about a potential shock and despatched their Jewson Western League hosts.
BRAD'S LEVELLER RESCUES THE IRON
IN A terrific FA Cup second qualifying round tie, Step 4 Newcastle Town held National League North leaders Scunthorpe at Buckmaster Avenue.
WHING IS SURE IT'S MOOR OF THE SAME
A BRACE from Conor Wilkinson brought Solihull Moors back-to-back National League victories.
MOR'S U'S ARE BACK ON TRACK
SUTTON United got back to winning ways with a wel come victory at Southend United.
DUO GET THEIR JUST REWARDS
ENGLAND legend Stuart Pearce has made surprise appearances at two Trident League clubs to hail a pair of award-winning volunteers who earned national recognition for their inspirational exploits.