He was once a player, then a coach, then manager, and is now a club ambassador. One thing is for certain, however, which is that Eddie Gray is and always will be a club icon.
TeamAppearancesGoalsLeeds United57768Scotland123Eddie Gray’s career stats
Only six players can better the 577 appearances he made for Leeds across a 17-year career at Elland Road. Gray was an integral member of the legendary Don Revie team of the 1960s and into the 1970s as well.
He is up there with the likes of Billy Bremner and John Charles as the greatest Leeds players of all-time and was a one-club man during his stint — despite being born and raised as a Celtic fan in Glasgow.
Eddie Gray’s verdict on Celtic’s atmosphere vs Leeds’ atmosphere
Eddie’s brother Frank is also a legend at Leeds, while his nephew Andy also featured for the club, too. His great-nephews are Archie and Harry and both have played for Leeds in the last two seasons.
Despite his affection for Leeds, the team the majority of the Gray family have supported since childhood is Celtic. The Scottish giants were once a powerhouse of European football at the same time as Leeds. They played one another twice in April 1970, with Celtic winning 3-1 on aggregate in the European Cup semi-final.
Speaking via The Scottish Sun (above), Gray explained what it was like that day and how it compared to the great Elland Road atmosphere. He said: “When you think of the game at Hampden, the second game, there were 137,000 that day. There was about 2000 Leeds supporters. It was just amazing.
“The funny thing about that game was, we were in the dressing room at Hampden, and big Jack [Charlton] and Norman [Hunter] — the experienced boys — they’re sitting there and the roof is vibrating, you know?
“They were looking at each other as if to say, ‘what’s this?’
“That’s probably the best atmosphere I’ve ever played under. I don’t think there will have ever been a game where the atmosphere is better.
“And, basically, it was all one-sided. They were two classic games. Two great games. Two of the greatest games ever. There was always that confrontation, Scotland against England.
“And it was the top team in Scotland, the top team in England, and Celtic come out on top. They are great memories.
“Obviously, you’re disappointed you don’t win the game. But, what you’ve got to remember, is it was more of a level playing field then.”
Harry Gray could become Eddie Gray 2.0
Great uncle Eddie shed a tear on the Elland Road terraces as 16-year-old Harry Gray came off the bench late on against Stoke City in the 6-0 thumping last month.
Despite not being a winger, Harry has the potential to be an absolutely exceptional player one day. His talent level is arguably higher than Archie’s and the 16-year-old simply needs to be nurtured in the right way.
A loan should be forthcoming at some stage for him. But, for now, Eddie believes Leeds can get excited by what they have seen. That includes academy coach and former player in Aaron Lennon, who has compared Gray to Gareth Bale and been very impressed so far.
Beren Cross revealed what he said, stating: “Lennon came in last season, did some youth work with the U18’s last year. I spoke to another coach who was repeating what Aaron Lennon had said.
“He came in off one training session with Harry Gray and said he has got the best left foot I’ve ever seen. That is mindblowing, mindblowing praise.”
