It was an excellent month for Archie Gray in February as he not only won the Leeds United Player of the Month, but also won the PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Month as well.
Gray has captured the hearts of all Leeds United fans during his breakout season as the 17-year-old is carrying on the Gray legacy, hoping to emulate the career his Grandfather Eddie Gray had for his boyhood club
Speaking about his time at the club so far and being fast-tracked through the academy to make his debut this season. Gray says, “It means everything. To be playing for the club that I’ve been at my whole life, the club that I’ve supported and travelled to games with… I’m lucky.”
Gray has been through all the age groups at Leeds United and is even making his way up the England ranks, most recently being called up for the U20s. His season so far has been what some would describe as a dream for someone his age. Starting 31 matches and scoring his first goal against Leicester City in a match that he says, “It was by far the best game I’ve ever been involved in.”
With Gray only being 17 years of age, it means he has had to leave some of his academy teammates behind as he has had to settle into the first team. However, his old teammates have been able to look at his development in a positive light as it gives them hope that they can follow in his footsteps
Leeds United U18s midfielder Oliver Pickles says, “Seeing Archie do what he has done has just made us believe even more in ourselves and have more hope about breaking into the first team.”
Pickles was part of the squad that beat the Liverpool U18s in the FA Youth Cup in the quarterfinals, booking their place in the semis for the first time since 1998. An attendance of 3,460 at Elland Road cheered on the young Whites chanting ‘I Predict a Riot’ as the youngsters were given a standing ovation as the full-time whistle blew
Pickles is full of praise for Gray saying he is “top class” and that it’s “not surprising” that he is now starting for the first team this season
“He is someone for the lads to look up to, it’s shown that the club want to get the most out of the youth. This is making us want to prove our ability even more to eventually get that call-up to the first team.”
Daniel Farke has shown in his first season at Leeds United that he isn’t afraid of relying on younger players, bringing Archie Gray into the starting eleven was his first example. The other youngster to benefit from Farke’s philosophy is Mateo Joseph
The 20-year-old was given his chance against Chelsea in the 5th round of the FA Cup, and he certainly delivered. Scoring twice in a performance that proved his worth to the squad, it has been an integral few month for the Spainish-born striker’s early career
Now success is on the horizon for Leeds United. Gray will be watching his former teammates try and bring the FA Youth Cup back to Elland Road alongside trying to bring Leeds United back to the Premier League as the season is now coming to an end
If Leeds can secure promotion, Gray will certainly join his Grandfather Eddie in the history books. Something that the likes of Pickles and his teammates are hoping they get the chance to do in the near future under proven boss Daniel Farke
