Andy Gray in talks to rejoin Bantams

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

Striker Andy Gray scored 21 goals in 81 games for City in the second tier between 2002 and 2004 Striker Andy Gray scored 21 goals in 81 games for City in the second tier between 2002 and 2004

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.”

Comments(47)

i miss stallard & murray says...
7:32am Fri 25 May 12

Did not rate him first time round. Not a natural goalscorer and not as good as what we have at the moment. In my opinion I wud like to see someone else come in.

Report this post »

Lancashire Bantam says...
7:32am Fri 25 May 12

The news gets better each day,fantastic news.

Report this post »

ALEXIMO.56. says...
7:47am Fri 25 May 12

Will he fit in with the style of play? Andy OB. could be back too as L£%&S have released him.

Report this post »

shaun from richmond says...
7:54am Fri 25 May 12

Lancashire Bantam wrote:
The news gets better each day,fantastic news.
REALLY???

Report this post »

chin up says...
7:58am Fri 25 May 12

To anyone who doesn't rate Andy Gray well he's spent most of his career at Championship level. He is in the same mould of Peter Thorne if not better. To be fair Thorne didn't do too bad in League 2 did he?
Well I'm pleased we're after these kind of players because going down the non-league route has not worked. We need players with ability (not saying players in NL have not got ability) and players that can cope from the pressures associated with playing for City. PP seems to know what he's doing. Leave him to it I say!

Report this post »

claytonbantam says...
8:07am Fri 25 May 12

towards the end of the season i was doubting PP but should he pull these signings off and more of the same caliber then i think we could have a very good season next season.

Report this post »

ynotdunne says...
8:11am Fri 25 May 12

i miss stallard & murray wrote:
Did not rate him first time round. Not a natural goalscorer and not as good as what we have at the moment. In my opinion I wud like to see someone else come in.
Just goes to show you would not know a football if it hit you in the face pal!!!
He is a different class of footballer who's has gained vast experience since 2004 and will be an absolute astute signing. Educate yourself before you open your gob in future pal.

Report this post »

macca1969 says...
8:14am Fri 25 May 12

After season after season of getting carried away i said i wouldn't do it again. Unfortunately I'm getting a little excited again. Doctor where are my tablets

Report this post »

prince35 says...
8:19am Fri 25 May 12

Like the chairman says talks, it by no means says there down the road of offering a contract.
Personally id prefer the lad from barnet mcleod?.
The board are really backing parkinson and sincerley hope parkinson delivers for the chairmen(s).

Report this post »

cammybantam says...
8:22am Fri 25 May 12

If he signs then we have a forward who will contribute 10 to 15 goals but most importantly its the experience he will give to Hanson and Wells......
Also have the option to play him out wide...
Have the club found oil when renovating the pitch ?

Report this post »

djmoulson says...
8:25am Fri 25 May 12

Andy Gray might look like a gamble to some, but could be a trump card for us. His record at Championship level was good at Sheffield Utd and Burnley, and always seemed to be in the right place to score simple goals with us as a striker, yeah he's 34 but like someone said about Peter Thorne, he did ok for us didn't he, and he was similar. Don't knock this one, if we can land a tricky right winger we'd then have balance and with the midfield we have/hope to have i.e. Syers then we'll be a hard team to play in L2 next season. CTID

Report this post »

ricky76 says...
8:30am Fri 25 May 12

shaun from richmond wrote:
Lancashire Bantam wrote:
The news gets better each day,fantastic news.
REALLY???
You have finally come out of the woodwork suppose andy davies is a bad signing too

Report this post »

spleen ventor says...
8:33am Fri 25 May 12

Personally I'd be delighted if Andy Gray returned...top class professional and here for the right reasons, not a "last pay day".... some of the cretins on here would moan if we signed Messi and Rooney up front!

Report this post »

irish bantam says...
8:34am Fri 25 May 12

lets put it this way.........i would rather have andy gray than atkinson in the team any day. A good signing at this level with experience and would be a good addition. keep them coming city.

Report this post »

MrsAngryofRidd says...
8:38am Fri 25 May 12

Last season Mr Parkinson did nothing that made me think he was the man for the job, but with the way he has got rid of the deadwood and the progress he seems to be making for new recruits I feel that I must change my opinion, its not often I will admit to being wrong but maybe he is the man for the job. Starting to look forward to August already.

Report this post »

Nickloza says...
8:49am Fri 25 May 12

Another good signing if it comes off keep em coming.

Report this post »

dannbradfc says...
8:57am Fri 25 May 12

He wasn't my cup of tea first time round. Alwyas thought he was a little 'lightweight' and he isn;t a natuaral finisher. Someone comparing him to Thorne above needs to lie down as i don't think he was in Thornes class but hey its a matter of opnion.

However at this level and with his experience at higher levels he may prove useful. Indeed i'd expect him to offer more than Fagan did.....

Report this post »

neiltherealdeal says...
9:03am Fri 25 May 12

I said at 3 or 4 mths ago judge PP on the coming season when he has had a full pre-season and get all the players he wants. I'm shouting from the rooftops that we are going to get promoted but i said a while ago i was quietly confident. We have the nucleus of a half decent side and the signings seem positive to me. A good right midfielder and a decent left back and we are not a million miles away. I wonder what all the knee jerk knobs from this sight will do if we put a decent team on the pitch next season and challenge for promotion!?

Report this post »

dannbradfc says...
9:09am Fri 25 May 12

neil the real deal

they'll probably cheer because thats what we all want to do. Do you expect us to be cheering 18th place finishes and planning open top bus parades?

Fact is we underacheived with the squad last year. Parky is not stupid and no that the supporters are demanding more attacking football. Likewise they chairmen have made a few statements in this regard. He must improve or else he'll be in trouble by christmas......espec
ially if its the negative approach again.....

Report this post »

Freddy says...
9:31am Fri 25 May 12

Yesterday I bought TWO SEASON TICKETS--for ME and my SON.
*
In view of the promising signings to come, I am personally delighted with my decision. Hopefully Next Season will be 'CITY's' Season.
*

Report this post »

citywin10 says...
9:41am Fri 25 May 12

Lacks pace... past it... journey man... I know a few more like that. Let me think now...
Bobby Ham
Bobby Campbell
John Hawley
Ron Futcher
Chris Waddle
Dean Windass
Peter Thorne
They seemed to do a job!!

Report this post »

blue bantam says...
10:17am Fri 25 May 12

He was class last time and think he could be again. Hope parky and board pull this one off would be second quality signing !!!!

Report this post »

Wakeywakey says...
10:26am Fri 25 May 12

Good news! enjoyed watching Andy play for us, Top Guy, an
opportunist and lays balls off well.

Report this post »

Lancashire Bantam says...
10:44am Fri 25 May 12

citywin10 wrote:
Lacks pace... past it... journey man... I know a few more like that. Let me think now... Bobby Ham Bobby Campbell John Hawley Ron Futcher Chris Waddle Dean Windass Peter Thorne They seemed to do a job!!
Totally agree but you forgot to mention two of the greatest ie,Stuart McCall on his return and the great Peter Beagrie.

Report this post »

passionate says...
11:02am Fri 25 May 12

Peter Beagrie
Stuart McCall...

Report this post »

shipleyctid says...
11:14am Fri 25 May 12

citywin10 says...
9:41am Fri 25 May 12

Lacks pace... past it... journey man... I know a few more like that. Let me think now...
Bobby Ham
Bobby Campbell
John Hawley
Ron Futcher
Chris Waddle
Dean Windass
Peter Thorne
They seemed to do a job!! i agree with this guy pace is not ever thing look at the list there lose a race against my 5 year old but there know were union bag is .come and join us a gray c.t.i.d

Report this post »

Beeceefcee says...
11:58am Fri 25 May 12

Some of you must have been drinking quite a lot last time Andy G was with us! Thought he was a great player with us and don't forget this was in the higher divisions. If he was bad then why has he spent the last 10 years in the championship? Also when he originally came to us from Forest he had been used as a winger.

Cmon City! Onwards and upwards!

Report this post »

citywin10 says...
12:15pm Fri 25 May 12

passionate wrote:
Peter Beagrie
Stuart McCall...
Agree re McCall. However Beagrie is the odd one out. He had plenty of pace even when he left us and went to Scunthorpe. Those were the days!!

Report this post »

shaun from richmond says...
12:42pm Fri 25 May 12

ricky76 wrote:
shaun from richmond wrote:
Lancashire Bantam wrote: The news gets better each day,fantastic news.
REALLY???
You have finally come out of the woodwork suppose andy davies is a bad signing too
ERM...I suppose IF he manages to play more games than he is suspended for!!........He may well be a good signing!!. HOWEVER......the word is "IF"!!

Report this post »

Babbsy says...
12:43pm Fri 25 May 12

I'd be very happy with this signing - Quality player. How anybody in their right mind can say they weren't impressed first time around, I'll never know. In a depressing period of time at the club Gray's performances were one of the few high points. Let's not forget he won Scotland caps off the back of his performances in a Bradford shirt.

Report this post »

bahamianbantam says...
12:55pm Fri 25 May 12

Umm! Davies great signing! Gray - not sure really how he would fit in. Over past few years we seem to get people and play them out of position - Fagan, Syers, Seip - to name a few. Would be happier getting two overlapping fullbacks and right side midfield/winger then we can look forward to a great season - but with PP - ?

Report this post »

Victor Clayton says...
12:56pm Fri 25 May 12

I suppose it depends on how he will complement Wells, as I am sure he is the main goal threat we have. I didn’t go to every game but I don’t remember our midfield really out passing our opposition and building pressure. It was mainly “get to the ball first and hit a hopeful quick pass forward” (OK, I know its lower league). Fagan being unable to go past a defender can’t have helped. I don’t remember Gray being great at holding the ball up (unlike Campbell and Futcher) so unless we are going to improve our midfield I think his pace or lack of it is important. Actually what I really think we need is someone who can hold the ball up

Report this post »

i miss stallard & murray says...
1:41pm Fri 25 May 12

ynotdunne says...
8:11am Fri 25 May 12

i miss stallard & murray wrote:
Did not rate him first time round. Not a natural goalscorer and not as good as what we have at the moment. In my opinion I wud like to see someone else come in.Just goes to show you would not know a football if it hit you in the face pal!!!
He is a different class of footballer who's has gained vast experience since 2004 and will be an absolute astute signing. Educate yourself before you open your gob in future pal.

Proves i know nothing about football because i did not rate Andy Gray?
I personally do not think he is better than what we have and do not feel he will add anything to the squad, its my opinion i shared it.
I think you need to chill out and despite not agreeing with you i respect your opinion.
I ll not get personal and give you the benefit of the doubt and hope that your day has got better

Report this post »

Victor Clayton says...
1:44pm Fri 25 May 12

i miss stallard & murray wrote:
ynotdunne says... 8:11am Fri 25 May 12 i miss stallard & murray wrote: Did not rate him first time round. Not a natural goalscorer and not as good as what we have at the moment. In my opinion I wud like to see someone else come in.Just goes to show you would not know a football if it hit you in the face pal!!! He is a different class of footballer who's has gained vast experience since 2004 and will be an absolute astute signing. Educate yourself before you open your gob in future pal. Proves i know nothing about football because i did not rate Andy Gray? I personally do not think he is better than what we have and do not feel he will add anything to the squad, its my opinion i shared it. I think you need to chill out and despite not agreeing with you i respect your opinion. I ll not get personal and give you the benefit of the doubt and hope that your day has got better
respect

Report this post »

parksider says...
2:32pm Fri 25 May 12

some posters here are wondering how grey will fit in i have to say lets wait and and see who else is going to arrive first for him to fit in with lol paitience is a virtue tho it is easy to get carried away but hey thats football pre season for fans full of speculatation and excitement and yes moaners too who will no doubt think enough never gets done i for one will look forwards as always to following my team no matter who pulls on the claret n amber CTID

Report this post »

Victor Clayton says...
3:34pm Fri 25 May 12

parksider wrote:
some posters here are wondering how grey will fit in i have to say lets wait and and see who else is going to arrive first for him to fit in with lol paitience is a virtue tho it is easy to get carried away but hey thats football pre season for fans full of speculatation and excitement and yes moaners too who will no doubt think enough never gets done i for one will look forwards as always to following my team no matter who pulls on the claret n amber CTID
your right parksider - but we have to talk about something!

Report this post »

ALEXIMO.56. says...
3:53pm Fri 25 May 12

Victor Clayton wrote:
parksider wrote:
some posters here are wondering how grey will fit in i have to say lets wait and and see who else is going to arrive first for him to fit in with lol paitience is a virtue tho it is easy to get carried away but hey thats football pre season for fans full of speculatation and excitement and yes moaners too who will no doubt think enough never gets done i for one will look forwards as always to following my team no matter who pulls on the claret n amber CTID
your right parksider - but we have to talk about something!
Does anyone know if: Atkinson, Howarth, Smalley, Dagnall & Fry Have returned to their clubs? Would anyone like to see Andy OB return? as he has been released by L@*#S.

Report this post »

Danstarr69 says...
4:35pm Fri 25 May 12

Liked Andy Gray 1st time round, but this time I'm worried about his age. Thorne & Windass weren't that old when they came here.

Report this post »

Nickloza says...
5:18pm Fri 25 May 12

Danstarr69 wrote:
Liked Andy Gray 1st time round, but this time I'm worried about his age. Thorne & Windass weren't that old when they came here.
sorry Dan but Thorne was 34 too when he arrived at City

Report this post »

Nickloza says...
5:24pm Fri 25 May 12

Nickloza wrote:
Danstarr69 wrote:
Liked Andy Gray 1st time round, but this time I'm worried about his age. Thorne & Windass weren't that old when they came here.
sorry Dan but Thorne was 34 too when he arrived at City
Windass was too

Report this post »

Nickloza says...
5:27pm Fri 25 May 12

Nickloza wrote:
Nickloza wrote:
Danstarr69 wrote:
Liked Andy Gray 1st time round, but this time I'm worried about his age. Thorne & Windass weren't that old when they came here.
sorry Dan but Thorne was 34 too when he arrived at City
Windass was too
Obviously when Windass came back. lol

Report this post »

Danstarr69 says...
5:38pm Fri 25 May 12

Nickloza wrote:
Nickloza wrote:
Nickloza wrote:
Danstarr69 wrote: Liked Andy Gray 1st time round, but this time I'm worried about his age. Thorne & Windass weren't that old when they came here.
sorry Dan but Thorne was 34 too when he arrived at City
Windass was too
Obviously when Windass came back. lol
Just checked and you're right. I thought they were about 30. Maybe he could do a job, even now.

Report this post »

Deacs says...
7:03pm Fri 25 May 12

Gray might not be the player he was but at the end of the day he is still good enough for League 2 and if he helps us to get out of this league then League 1 wont be far away. I say this every year, i feel confident we will do well this season but really do feel confident we can push for a play off place. Just a couple of more signings and we will be a strong contender. Come you bantams

Report this post »

parader no1 says...
7:53pm Fri 25 May 12

As far as I am aware Alex, Haworth, Atkinson, Dagnal and Smalley have returned to their respective clubs. Fry has been invited back for pre season training.

Report this post »

huggy b says...
9:38pm Fri 25 May 12

I wasn't his biggest fan first time round due to him being a bit soft, but I didn't like many of that squad! However, he has vital experience, an eye for goal and if he stays fit could be a real coup in League 2.

Report this post »

eebygum says...
2:50pm Sun 27 May 12

He could do a job at this level if he performs week in week out. Personally I would put a pay per play contract to him and a goal bonus if he scores. As I remember John Hawley was an older player at this level was pretty prolific.

Report this post »

claretstripe says...
4:30pm Mon 28 May 12

parader no1 wrote:
As far as I am aware Alex, Haworth, Atkinson, Dagnal and Smalley have returned to their respective clubs. Fry has been invited back for pre season training.
I heard Atkinson already had a 1 year deal on the table when he joined on loan.

im just praying i hear wrong! haha

Report this post »

click2find

Get Adobe Flash player
About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree