George Robert Gray (4 January 1894 – 1972) was an English professional footballer during the early years of the twentieth century. He played in the Football League for Swansea Town, Northampton Town and Durham City. He spent a season in the Southern League with Gillingham, was on the books of Bury without playing for their first team, had a trial with Scottish League club Clydebank, and played North-Eastern League football for Seaham Harbour and Hartlepools United. After his playing career ended he had a lengthy career as a trainer.

Personal life

Gray was born in South Hylton, County Durham, in January 1894, ^[2] the son of Crosby Gray, a shipwright, and his wife, Isabella. ^[3] By 1911, his father had died and the 17-year-old Gray was working as a craneboy in the shipyards. ^[4] He married Vera Lister in 1923. ^[5] Their son, also a George Gray, ^[6] played League football as a half back for Grimsby Town, Swindon Town and Darlington in the 1950s. ^[7] Gray died in Sunderland in 1972. ^{[2] [8]}

Playing career

Gray played local football for New Riddick Colliery and North-Eastern League football for Seaham Harbour before signing for Gillingham, ^[1] for which he made 16 Southern League appearances without scoring before competitive football was abandoned for the duration of the First World War. ^[9] He served in the Army during the war, ^[2] and when demobilised returned to County Durham in October 1919 and signed for Hartlepools United. ^[10] He went on to score once from 26 North-Eastern League matches and make one appearance in the FA Cup. ^[11]

In September 1920, Gray signed for Swansea Town of the Third Division South. ^[2] He made his Football League debut playing at right half away to Northampton Town on 25 September ^[1] – one of five men tried in that position in the first few weeks of the season ^[12] – but established himself in the team at left half and missed only three matches over the rest of the campaign. ^[1] In 1921–22, he did not appear until the new year, but did help the team reach the last 16 of the FA Cup. ^[1] He left Swansea at the end of the season for Second Division club Bury, where he spent a year without first-team football before returning to the Southern Section with Northampton Town. ^[2] He was unwell at the start of the 1923–24 season, ^[13] and although he played in the reserves, ^[14] he did not make his first-team debut until late December, standing in for the rested Frank Newton. ^[15] He kept his place for the next match, and made nine more appearances as injury cover before the half-back line was rearranged to accommodate the return of regular centre-half Edmund Wood. ^{[1] [16]} An unsuccessful trial with Durham City in October 1924, during which he played twice in the Third Division North as a centre forward, put an end to his Football League career. ^[2] He had a trial with Scottiah League club Clydebank, and played for Junior club Yoker Athletic before returning to England with Rushden Town. ^[2]

Career as a trainer

He then began a long career as a trainer, with clubs including Bury, Clydebank, Barrow, ^[17] and South Shields. ^[18] The 1939 Register records him living in Sunderland and working as a framesmith's striker. ^{[19] [20]} When the Sunderland club resumed playing wartime football at their Roker Park ground, Gray acted as trainer on a voluntary basis, and after the war he was appointed full-time. ^[21] In July 1950, he treated West Indian cricketer Sonny Ramadhin after he was injured during a tour match against Durham, ^[22] and acted as trainer to the England team when they played Wales at Sunderland's Roker Park ground in November. ^{[23] [24]} He remained in post until 1951, and then took full-time charge of the treatment room and did some scouting. ^[25]

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