Ray Cherry - Sonytino - RIP

[Gary C]

I received, via Jack Smedley, an email (reproduced below) today informing everyone that sadly Ray passed away on Sunday

I am writing to inform you that Ray Cherry known to many as Sonytino sadly died on Sunday 2nd February 2025.
Ray was a Dartford supporter for a good part of his life (80yrs) and for a long time he used to do the videos of the match at home and away, until he moved to Milton Keynes several years ago, where he continued to support The Darts from afar and even travelled up to see them as well!

Very sad to hear this. Ray was a true fan and he provided such a valuable service when he was filming the games. My condolences and best wishes go out to his friends, family and those who knew him.

Rick, please move to the Gone But Not Forgotten forum after a period so that we can get this message out.

[Undercover Elephant]

I think we owe a lot to Ray, he was a decent guy and as far as I am aware used to film for free the videos.

A generally nice guy!

[Lars Resort]

RIP Ray, I remember his videos with affection.

[The 5th Searcher]

RIP Ray, he always did an excellent job with the video’s using a basic camcorder and got them edited and onto the website quickly.

Yet another Dart that has sadly passed but not forgotten.

[PeteSamson]

Very sad to hear this news. Always knew him as Sonytino, rather then Ray Cherry. He did carry out sterling work in recording the games, which helped allow exiles like me the opportunity of keeping in touch with the Darts over the decades from afar.

Condolences to his family. Rest in Peace Ray, and thank you for what you did for the club.

[Skip]

I think Ray provided some of the earliest match highlights for supporters to enjoy. A very unassuming, quietly spoken and decent fella. Another one joins the terraces up above.

RIP Sonytino.

[Park Life]

Really sad news, Ray was a real decent guy.
Probably the pioneer of DFC match videos, another DFC legend gone.

RIP Ray.

[Clare]

This is really sad news. Ray was such a lovely man and nothing was ever too much trouble.
Rest in peace Ray. My thoughts are with his family x

[KSTDART]

RIP Ray , a lovely man . Condolences to his family

[Ring of fire]

[Ring of fire]

Eternal Thanks for the memories, Ray. R.I.P +

[ozymandias]

I could watch this all day. Rest in Peace Ray.

[Paulcanary]

His videos made things come alive for me !

Thank you Sir for all your amazing work - I play clips of Rays DFC videos to non league fans regularly

RIP and thanks again

Ps will have a drink for you tonight - not much footie on so I’m gonna go and cheers Lewes at our rivals Cray Valley at Eltham. Anyone else going ?!?

[DA Mikey]

Sad news. Can hear the start-up music to those highlights videos in the Ryman days.
RIP fellow Dart.

[Undercover Elephant]

That was a team!

[Sleightly Deceptive]

What great memories.

[RogerChapman]

To all Rays family.
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
Ray was a workmate at Wiggins Teape and also like myself a true Dartford Football Club supporter.
May he rest in peace.

[Disco Stu]

RIP Ray. Condolences to family and friends.

Always grateful for the highlights Ray put together. The highlights are still a good watch today and they certainly bring back some great memories. Thank you sonytino.

[Bagdhad Billy]

RIP Sonytino so sad to see such a loyal Dart pass away, I was at the WSM game and yes what a team ! The recording was as professional as always and I never expected anything less true club servant.

[rick]

That's such sad news and a total shock to me.

I knew Ray fairly well. He came to my house a few times, I went to his once when "Dartmouth" (Les) was driving us to a U18 game (Final) at Faversham.

Would always speak to him before a game and leave the ground with him and Les.

Ray would give me his footage to put onto http://www.sonytino.co.uk

I even transferred his daughter's wedding footage from VHS to DVD for him.

I knew he had moved up to Milton Keynes around 2017 to be with his family as we kept in contact via email.

My sincere condolences to his family.