Andre Gray

Andre Gray

Gray lining up for Luton Town before the 2012 Conference Premier play-off Final
Personal information
Full nameAndre Anthony Gray[1]
Date of birth26 June 1991[1]
Place of birthWolverhampton, England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Playing positionStriker
Club information
Current team
Brentford
Number19
Youth career
?–2004Wolverhampton Wanderers
2004–2009Shrewsbury Town
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2009–2010Shrewsbury Town4(0)
2009–2010→ AFC Telford United (loan)6(1)
2010→ Hinckley United (loan)5(0)
2010–2012Hinckley United65(29)
2012→ Luton Town (loan)9(5)
2012–2014Luton Town88(47)
2014–Brentford42(15)
National team
2012–2014England C6(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20"43, 18 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Andre Anthony Gray (born 26 June 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for Brentford as a striker. A product of the Shrewsbury Town youth system, Gray came to prominence after scoring 57 goals in 111 appearances in a two-season spell with Luton Town. He represented England C at international level.

Club career

Shrewsbury Town

Gray began his career in the academy at hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers, but was released at age 13.[2] Gray joined the youth setup at League Two side Shrewsbury Town in 2004, signing his first professional one-year contract prior to the start of the 2009–10 season.[3] Awarded the number 20 shirt, he made his debut on the opening day of the season, coming on as an 89th minute substitute for Nathan Elder in the Shrews' 3–1 win over Burton Albion.[4] An injury crisis saw Gray make four further cameos,[5] with what would be his final appearance for the club coming as a 57th minute replacement for Kris Bright in a 2–0 Football League Trophy second round defeat to Accrington Stanley on 20 October.[6] He spent periods of the 2009–10 season away on loan, but competition for places meant that Gray was relegated to the reserve team substitutes' bench.[7] Gray was released by the Shrews on 14 May 2010,[8] having made just five appearances for the club.[5] Looking back on his time at Shrewsbury, Gray said "I was at the stage in my life where I thought everything was set for me. I didn’t really care about playing in Shrewsbury’s reserves, which it shouldn’t have been".[9]

AFC Telford United

Gray joined Conference North side AFC Telford United on a one-month loan on 26 November 2009.[10] Gray's good form meant that his loan was extended for a second month.[11] He scored his first goal for the club with a late winner against local rivals Stafford Rangers on Boxing Day.[12] Competition for places meant that Gray gradually lost his place in the team and he returned to Shrewsbury Town on 5 February 2010.[13] Gray played six times for the Bucks, scoring once.[14]

Hinckley United (loan and permanent transfer)

On 5 March 2010, Gray joined Conference North side Hinckley United on an emergency one-month loan.[7] He made five appearances and scored no goals for the club, before returning to Shrewsbury Town.[15]

Gray returned to De Montfort Park in June 2010 and signed a permanent one-year contract with the club.[16] He scored his first goal for the Knitters with a late equaliser in a 2–2 draw with Harrogate Town on 4 September.[17] After two further goals that month in defeats to Guiseley and Eastwood Town, Gray's goalscoring form dried up. His form returned in late March 2011, when he scored a brace in a 4–0 drubbing of Redditch United.[18] He scored four goals in a 7–2 thrashing of Solihull Moors on 23 April[19] and ended the 2010–11 season having made 35 appearances and scored 14 goals.[20]

Gray remained with Hinckley for the 2011–12 season and showed fine form, with his goalscoring exploits firing the Knitters to an FA Cup first round proper match versus Conference Premier side Tamworth on 12 November 2011.[21] He scored the opening goal in the 2–2 draw, but couldn't find the net in the replay, which was lost 1–0.[22] Gray also helped the Knitters to the second round proper of the FA Trophy, scoring a late winner against Conference Premier side Wrexham side in the first round,[23] though he was unable to find the net against Luton Town in the following round, to whom the Knitters crashed out 3–0 in a replay.[24] His exploits garnered him attention from Championship clubs.[25] Gray made 45 appearances and scored 23 goals during the 2011–12 season.[26] Gray departed Hinckley in the summer of 2012, having made 85 appearances and scored 37 goals across his two spells with the club.[15][20][26] Gray looked back on his years playing part-time with the Knitters as the point at which he regained his focus, saying "as long as I still had a job and was getting paid, it was OK. Until I started playing and realised that full-time football was the only thing I wanted to do, it kicked me into gear. Being bored all day, waiting to go training made me really want it".[9]

Luton Town (loan and permanent transfer)

On 22 March 2012, Gray signed for Conference Premier side Luton Town on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season with a view to a permanent move, having impressed the club's backroom staff with his performances against the club in the FA Trophy. Going straight into the starting lineup,[27] he scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw against Grimsby Town on 24 March and hit a goal in his of his next games against York City, Braintree Town and Hayes & Yeading United.[28] This meant that Gray became the only player in Luton Town history to have scored in each of his first four games for the club. He scored his fifth goal in a 2–0 win against champions Fleetwood Town in the last game of the season to ensure that Luton secured a fifth-place finish in the league and the last available remaining playoff spot. Gray scored the opening goal in the playoff semi-final first leg at home against Wrexham, which Luton won 3–2 on aggregate to set up a final against York City at Wembley Stadium. Luton lost the game 2–1, despite Gray scoring the opening goal after just 71 seconds.[29] He scored seven goals in 12 games during his loan spell.[30]

The day after the playoff final defeat, Gray signed a two-year professional contract with Luton for a fee of £30,000.[31][32] Beginning the 2012–13 season in a substitute role, he scored his first goal of the campaign against Macclesfield Town on 1 September 2012[33] and broke back into the starting lineup.[34] Gray's performance in a 2–0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory over Cambridge United in late October saw him win the FA Cup Player of the Round award.[35] On 1 December, he helped the Hatters into the third round proper of the FA Cup, scoring the opener in a 2–1 second round victory over Dorchester Town.[36] Luton were drawn against Gray's hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round and he played 89 minutes of the 1–0 giant killing on 5 January 2014.[2] On 14 January, following a run of ten games in which he scored eight goals (attracting the interest of Championship side Millwall),[37] Gray signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract, which would keep him at Kenilworth Road until June 2015.[38] He played 75 minutes of Luton's shock 1–0 FA Cup fourth round giant killing of Norwich City on 26 January,[39] but the Hatters' run was stopped by Millwall in the fifth round, who ran out 3–0 victors.[40] Gray rounded out the 2012–13 season with a run of six goals in six games, which included two braces in the Hatters' final two games of the season.[41] Gray made 54 appearances and scored 20 goals[41] in a season which saw Luton finish two places outside the playoffs.

Gray was primarily used as an impact substitute during the beginning of the 2013–14 season, with new signing Mark Cullen preferred in a starting role by Luton manager John Still.[42] Early in the campaign he was the subject of transfer interest from League One sides Peterborough United and Port Vale,[43] though manager John Still was quick to point out that Luton had received no official enquiries.[44] Gray scored his first goal of the season on 24 September 2013, the club's eleventh league game, in a 4–0 victory over Woking.[45] He then went on a goalscoring run and reclaimed his place in the team, scoring six goals in five games, culminating with a hattrick in a 4–1 victory over Hyde on 12 October.[46] A run of 11 goals in 10 games from November through to January helped the Hatters to the top of the Conference Premier table.[41] In January 2014, Gray was the subject of transfer interest from Premier League side Arsenal.[47] Gray confirmed he had no intention of leaving the club midway through the season, stating that it would be "stupid" to with the club having a realistic chance of promotion back to the Football League and he instructed his agent to reject any approaches.[48] After scoring a further seven goals in four games in February, Gray was named as the Conference Premier Player of the Month.[49] Further transfer interest surfaced in April, with Championship sides Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers reported to be tracking Gray.[50] In total, Gray scored 30 goals in 45 games during the 2013–14 season,[41] and winning the first silverware of his career, as Luton were promoted back to the Football League as Conference Premier champions.[51] He was recognised by the club for his performances by being awarded the Young Player of the Year award.[52] Gray was the leading scorer in the Conference Premier (for which he won the league's Golden Boot award) and he was also named in the Conference Premier Team of the Season.[53][54] He was the subject of reported transfer interest from League One neighbours Milton Keynes Dons in May 2014, but the Dons baulked at his £300,000 price tag.[55] Gray departed the Hatters in late June 2014, having made 111 appearances and scored 57 goals during his time at Kenilworth Road.[30][41]

Brentford

On 27 June 2014, Gray signed a three-year deal at Championship side Brentford for an undisclosed fee and was given the number 19 shirt.[56][57] After joining, he said "the fact that the manager wanted me was a big part in selling me on Brentford. They had a vision of how they wanted me to play and also they have a vision for this club. As soon as Brentford came along I knew it was a good opportunity for me".[58] After scoring in friendlies versus Barnet and Nice in July 2014,[59][60] Gray made his competitive debut for the club on the opening day of the 2014–15 season against Charlton Athletic, making the first Football League start of his career. He lasted 67 minutes of the 1–1 draw before being replaced by fellow new signing Nick Proschwitz.[61] Gray scored his first competitive goal for the club in the following game, netting in an incredible 6–6 League Cup first round shootout win over Dagenham & Redbridge and he scored the first league goal of his career on the stroke of half time in a 2–0 win over Rotherham United on 30 August.[62][63] After a long goalless run,[64] Gray regained form in November, scoring five goals in four of five successive wins and receiving the Championship Player of the Month award.[65] He also earned a place in the Football League Team of the Week for his goalscoring performances in wins over Nottingham Forest and Millwall in mid-November.[66] Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp watched Gray score his sixth goal in seven games in a 3–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on 13 December, leading to speculation that the Premier League strugglers would table a transfer bid in January 2015.[67] Gray's goal in the following game against Cardiff City was the last of a run of seven goals in eight games.[64] Having been a starter in all his 33 league appearances so far in the 2014–15 season, manager Mark Warburton dropped Gray to the bench in favour of Chris Long for the visit of Huddersfield Town to Griffin Park on 3 March.[68]

International career

Gray's goalscoring record for Luton in the final months of the 2011–12 season raised the attention of the England C team and he was named in the squad for an International Challenge Trophy match against Russia U23 in June 2012.[69] He made his debut in a 4–0 defeat, playing the full 90 minutes.[70] He was later called into the squad to face Belgium U23 in September 2012.[71] He came on as a half time substitute for Stephen Brogan scored his first international goal, with the winner in a 2–1 victory. The win saw England C qualify for the semi-final of the International Challenge Trophy.[72] He played in the semi-final on 5 February 2013 against Turkey A2, which England C lost 1–0.[73] Gray captained England C in the second half of a 6–1 friendly win over Bermuda on 5 June 2013, scoring the team's sixth goal.[74] He appeared again in a 2–2 friendly draw with Czech Republic U21 in November 2013, starting the match and lasting 71 minutes before being replaced by Dan Fitchett.[75] Gray played in a prestigious friendly versus Jordan U23 at King Abdullah Stadium in Amman on 4 March 2014, starting in the 1–0 victory and being replaced by Dan Fitchett at half time.[76] Gray's return to the Football League in June 2014 meant that he was no longer eligible for England C. He won six caps and scored two goals.[77]

Personal life

Gray was introduced to football by his grandfather and suffered heartbreak at age 13 when his grandfather died.[9] Acting as a mentor for his younger brother Cody, Gray said "I know what my grandad wants me to do and that’s look after my family. It’s driving me to work harder".[9] He is an Arsenal supporter.[78]

Career statistics

As of match played 8 November 2014.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shrewsbury Town 2009–10[5] League Two 4000001[lower-alpha 1]050
AFC Telford United (loan) 2009–10[14] Conference North 6100—0061
Hinckley United (loan) 2009–10[15] Conference North 5000—0050
Hinckley United 2010–11[20] Conference North 311321—2[lower-alpha 2]03514
2011–12[26] Conference North 341675—4[lower-alpha 2]24523
Total 702996—628537
Luton Town (loan) 2011–12[30] Conference Premier 9500—3[lower-alpha 3]2127
Luton Town 2012–13[41] Conference Premier 441772—3[lower-alpha 2]15420
2013–14[41] Conference Premier 443010—004530
Total 975282—6311157
Brentford 2014–15[64] Championship 187002100208
Total 187002100208
Career total 1958917821135227103
  1. ↑ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Appearances in FA Trophy
  3. ↑ Appearances in Conference Premier play-offs

Honours

Luton Town

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 178. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "BBC Sport – Luton 1–0 Wolves". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  3. ↑ merlin. "Luton Town – Hatters Heroes – (G) – Andre Gray". Luton.vitalfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  4. ↑ "Shrewsbury 3–1 Burton". BBC Sport. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Games played by Andre Gray in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  6. ↑ "BBC SPORT | Football | Accrington Stanley 2–0 Shrewsbury". BBC News. 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Gray makes Hinckley switch | Football News". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  8. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town release captain and four others". BBC Sport. 14 May 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Badcock, Matt. "Andre Gray Bossing Things Both On And Off The PitchThe Non League Football Paper – Daily football news | The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news". The Non League Football Paper. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  10. ↑ "AFC Telford make treble signing". BBC Sport. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Shrewsbury's Andre Gray extends loan deal at Telford". BBC News. 2009-12-30. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  12. ↑ "AFC Telford United 2–1 Stafford Rangers". BBC Sport. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – AFC Telford decide not to renew Andre Gray's loan". BBC News. 2010-02-05. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 172–173. ISBN 9-781869-833688.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Williams; Wright (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2011. pp. 216–217.
  16. ↑ "Hinckley United bring in four new faces". BBC Sport. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  17. ↑ "Harrogate Town vs. Hinckley United – 4 September 2010 – Soccerway". Uk.soccerway.com. 2010-09-04. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  18. ↑ "Hinckley United vs. Redditch United – 26 March 2011 – Soccerway". Uk.soccerway.com. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  19. ↑ "Moors Stitched Up By Knitters". Solihull Moors F.C. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 220–221. ISBN 9-781869-833701.
  21. ↑ Hinckley Utd 2 Gray 78′ Kerry 88′. "BBC Sport – Hinckley Utd 2–2 Tamworth". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  22. ↑ Tamworth 1 St Aimie 90′ (2011-11-22). "BBC Sport – Tamworth 1–0 Hinckley Utd". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  23. ↑ "BBC Sport – FA Trophy: Wrexham 1–2 Hinckley United". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-12-10. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  24. ↑ "Football – Match FA Trophy : Luton Town vs. Hinckley United". Footballdatabase.eu. 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  25. ↑ "It's official: Town get Gray". Luton Town F.C. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 222–223. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  27. ↑ "Espn Fc". Espn Fc. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  28. ↑ "Andre Gray season 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  29. ↑ Maiden, Phil (20 May 2012). "Luton 1–2 York". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Williams; Williams (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2013. pp. 104–105.
  31. ↑ "Andre Gray joins Luton Town from Hinckley United". BBC Sport. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  32. ↑ "Gray deal becomes permanent". Luton Town F.C. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  33. ↑ "Luton 4–1 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "Espn Fc". Espn Fc. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Andre the poll giant". The FA. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  36. ↑ Luton 2 Gray 30′ Lawless 68′. "BBC Sport – Luton 2–1 Dorchester". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  37. ↑ "Football: Millwall court Luton Town's Andre Gray | Luton Town Football Club News, Luton Fixtures & Latest Football Scores | Bedfordshire on Sunday". Bedfordshire-news.co.uk. 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  38. ↑ "Andre Gray signs improved terms at Luton Town". Bedfordshire on Sunday (LSN Media Ltd). 15 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  39. ↑ Osborne, Chris. "BBC Sport – Norwich 0–1 Luton". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  40. ↑ Osborne, Chris. "BBC Sport – Luton 0–3 Millwall". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 "A. Gray". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  42. ↑ "Espn Fc". Espn Fc. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  43. ↑ "Gray ‘flattered’ by speculation as Football League managers watch on". Luton Today. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  44. ↑ "Still confirms no interest in striker Gray". Bedford Today. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  45. ↑ "Woking 0–4 Luton". BBC Sport. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  46. ↑ "BBC Sport – Luton Town 4–1 Hyde". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  47. ↑ "Arsenal Set To Make Surprise Move For Non-League Goal Machine Andre Gray". CaughtOffside.com. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  48. ↑ "Transfer window: Luton's Andre Gray rules out 'stupid' move". BBC Sport. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 "Still & Gray win awards". Luton Town F.C. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  50. ↑ "Arsenal and others linked with Luton striker". Football League World. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  51. ↑ "Football: 'The most remarkable season ever' – Luton Town boss John Still hails his record breakers". Luton on Sunday (LD Express Newspaper Ltd). 27 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 "Gallery: Awards Night 2014". Luton Town F.C. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Latest News". Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "HATTERS RECOGNISED AT CONFERENCE AWARDS". Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  55. ↑ Andrews, Liam (2014-05-15). "Dons linked with Gregory and Aldred, but Alli could be off | CitiBlog". Citiblogmk.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  56. ↑ "Brentford sign Andre Gray from Luton Town". Brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  57. ↑ Chris Wickham. "Brentford Football Club squad number list released for 2014/15 season". Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  58. ↑ "Andre Gray joins Brentford from Luton". Brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  59. ↑ Chris Wickham. "Match report from Brentford's pre-season friendly win against Barnet at The Hive". Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  60. ↑ Chris Wickham. "Match report as Brentford beat OGC Nice in pre-season friendly at Griffin Park". Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  61. ↑ "BBC Sport – Brentford 1–1 Charlton Athletic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  62. ↑ "BBC Sport – Dagenham & Redbridge 6–6 Brentford (2–4 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  63. ↑ "BBC Sport – Rotherham United 0–2 Brentford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 "Andre Gray – Football Stats – Brentford – Season 2014/2015 – Soccer Base". Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2014/andre-gray-named-sky-bet-championship-player-of-the-month-2124265.aspx
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 Ryan Percival. "Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week". Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  67. ↑ https://www.clubcall.com/queens-park-rangers/redknapp-warned-by-bees-after-spying-mission-1751090.html
  68. ↑ http://www.espnfc.com/player/97887/a.j.-gray?season=2014
  69. ↑ "Squad named for Russia". The FA. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  70. ↑ "Gray makes debut but Russians nuke England C". Luton Today. 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  71. ↑ "Squad named for Belgium". The FA. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  72. ↑ "Luton striker Andre Gray is the match-winner for England C in Belgium". TheFA.com. 2012-09-12. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  73. ↑ "Yilmaz ends England dreams". The FA. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  74. ↑ "Gray skippers England C to huge win in Bermuda". Luton Today (Johnston Publishing Ltd). 5 June 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  75. ↑ "Match report and photos: England C 2, Czech Repbulic U21 2". Nuneaton News. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  76. ↑ "Paul Fairclough's England C won historic encounter in Jordan thanks to Luke Berry's strike – England". The FA. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  77. ↑ http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/andre-gray/19
  78. ↑ http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/brentford/brentford_star_pays_tribute_to_fantastic_team_mate_after_wolves_drubbing_1_3868892

External links

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