Eddie Gray

Possibly the most naturally gifted footballer in United’s history, Gray’s brilliant but injury-blighted career spanned three decades. An outstanding schoolboy international, he made a goal scoring Leeds debut aged 17. By the 1967/68 season his ability to drop a shoulder and beat his man effortlessly made him an established regular. He figured in that season’s League Cup and Fairs Cup triumphs, scoring the winner in both semi-finals. The season after, Eddie won a Championship medal with Leeds, and a first international cap with Scotland. However, it’s two games during the 1969/70 season that fans cite as vintage Eddie Gray. The first, against Burnley, saw Eddie score the solo goal often voted the greatest Leeds goal ever (as well as his personal favourite earlier in the game at the other end!). A week later, he was the 1970 FA Cup Final Man of the Match after a scintillating performance against Chelsea. In the replay at Old Trafford, he fell victim to an act of organised thuggery by Ron Harris; Leeds lost the game, and Eddie began his struggle with injury.

He played in the victorious 1972 FA Cup team, but stuttered through the next two seasons, making only eight appearances in the 1973/74 Championship triumph. Worse still, injury robbed him of a place at the World Cup with Scotland. Don Revie’s successor Brian Clough all but pensioned him off before Jimmy Armfield decided there was still life in the (not so) old dog. Gray had lost a little speed but he enjoyed a new lease of life in midfield. Allan Clarke then asked Eddie to play left-back in a fading Leeds side, a role he shared with brother Frank during the relegation season of 1981/82. Eddie took over the managerial reigns after the drop, playing on and guiding his young team before retiring after the last match of 1983/84. His side made progress on the meagre resources available but he was unceremoniously sacked in October 1985.

After spells coaching at Whitby Town, Middlesbrough, Rochdale and Hull Gray returned to Leeds as Youth Team Coach in the summer of 1995. His first full season saw the youth team lift the FA Youth Cup in 1996. He later became reserve team coach, with his first season then also being rewarded with the Pontins Premier Division title. He was appointed as David O'Leary's No.2 when the Irishman became Leeds boss in October 1998, before being replaced by Eddie Kidd. Gray remained on the sidelines under Terry Venables, found himself initially sacked when Peter Reid took over, returning again as a general ambassador for the Club. When Reid was then sacked in 2003, Eddie was brought back in as caretaker manager.

• Born: Glasgow, January 17, 1948
• Games: 561 (+18 subs) - Goals: 68