Andy Gray in talks to rejoin Bantams (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Andy Gray in talks to rejoin Bantams

7:00am Friday 25th May 2012 in Bantams Exclusive By Simon Parker , Bradford City Reporter

Andy Gray could be in line for a sensational return to Valley Parade.

The former City striker is understood to be in talks to come back to the club he left in February 2004.

Gray, now 34, is a free agent after being released by Barnsley. He scored eight goals in the Championship last season.

With his vast experience, the well-travelled frontman would be the perfect mentor for James Hanson and Nahki Wells in the City firing line.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes today refused to comment on the speculation that an agreement has been reached with Gray, who netted 21 goals in 81 games during his 18-month spell at the club.

But Rhodes confirmed that City were continuing to pitch high for further signings after the coup of landing Andrew Davies.

He said: “It’s not that we are just going to sign Andrew, then the rest are going to be journeymen footballers. There are more of that ilk to follow.

“We’ve signed probably the best centre half in the division and we are looking at other players of equal stature. The budget will be a bit higher than what we were talking about but we want to get promotion.

“Andrew’s been good enough to commit early but some of the others will take longer. When you are a quality player, you’ll have a lot of options.

“They will take a bit of courting and want some time to think about things. But likewise we have plenty of options too.

“We aren’t just pursuing one player for one position. Like centre forward, we have a few targets but whatever one we do sign will raise eyebrows.”

Gray, the son of former Leeds full back Frank Gray, began his career at Elland Road. He appeared as a teenager in the 1996 League Cup final at Wembley.

He joined City from Nottingham Forest when they were first in administration in 2002.

Nicky Law originally signed him as a right winger but Gray converted into a striker and top-scored with 15 in his first year. That form earned him an international call-up and two caps for Scotland.

Gray found himself playing central midfield for a spell the following campaign before Sheffield United took advantage of City’s second slide into administration to snap him up for a knockdown £60,000 fee.

He is also a player that Phil Parkinson knows well from their time together at Charlton.

Gray spoke highly of his former manager when Parkinson got the Valley Parade hot-seat.

He told the T&A at the time: “Phil is very clued up on his football and players and very thorough in what he does.

“He’s ambitious to get Bradford up the leagues and it’s a good appointment.”