Meet the Gray Family
The Gray family's footballing heritage spans three generations, with Archie being the latest to play for Leeds. His grandfather Frank and great-uncle Eddie were both Scotland internationals, winning the First Division together under Don Revie in 1974.
Eddie Gray has been associated with Leeds United for 50 years as a player and coach.
Eddie Gray has been associated with Leeds United for 50 years as a player and coach.
Eddie is widely regarded as one of Leeds' greatest ever players and remained at Elland Road throughout his playing career, even returning as a coach on several occasions, while Frank returned after winning the European Cup with Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough in 1980.
Archie grew up watching his father Andy play the latter part of his career, which included two spells at Leeds. Last season, he broke into the team himself, starting 42 Championship games as Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke consoles Archie after Leeds' defeat to Southampton at Wembley
Leeds manager Daniel Farke consoles Archie after Leeds' defeat to Southampton at Wembley
“It makes you proud,” says his great-uncle Eddie. Sky Sports. “Archie is a young boy and comes from a background where he’s always been in the spotlight, especially at Leeds, and he’s risen to the challenge.”
“It was incredible to watch him,” his father Andy added. “I was really nervous at first. It's hard to be both a supporter and a parent. I'll always cherish those memories.”
“It was great to see him play for Leeds,” his father Andy added. “I was really nervous at first because I was a Leeds fan too. It's hard to get away from being a fan and a parent. Of course it ended in tears at Wembley but I'll always have that memory.”
Gray's footballing pedigree doesn't end with Archie. He has an older brother, Harry, who is at Leeds and played in a first-team friendly in pre-season as a 15-year-old.
“Harry will follow in Archie's footsteps if the odds are not stacked against him,” Eddie said. “He's a very talented player. He'll be a great addition to Leeds' youth team and hopefully he'll play for our club.”
He adds: “I think they're close enough in age to play together someday. When Frank and I played together, he was seven years younger than me.”
Archie and Harry are no strangers to competition, with a two-year age gap. “They played football in the garden from a very young age, and there were tears and a few fights,” recalls their father Andy.
“I remember we had boxing gloves in the garden so they could play a few times,” he added. “If they played in the garden, I guarantee you by the time they were 15, they would be fighting. At some point, one of them would come in crying.”
The romantic prospect of the Gray brothers playing together at Leeds was dashed after their Championship play-off defeat to Southampton last season.
Had things gone differently, Archie's time at the family-run club might have been even longer, but the Premier League money on offer was too attractive for Leeds to turn down.
These changes are difficult, but Archie has prepared for them.
Joe Rodon signed permanently for Leeds in the summer and Archie headed in the other direction.
Joe Rodon signed permanently for Leeds in the summer and Archie headed in the other direction.
“I don't think he'll be upset,” said Eddie, who won two top British titles. “He grew up in that environment – his grandfather, my brother, his dad – who were all footballers at that level.”
Archie was born to play in the Premier League.
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