Andy Gray Appreciation thread

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

Gutted when he was flogged, then 86/87 we played Coventry away at start of season & he turned up & sat in our end, the place went mad as he arrived in the stand & as he took his jacket off he had a R** top on underneath ... cue boo's alround, he realised said "Oh sh**" & took it off straight away, he sat in the seat directly behind me so I got my prog signed.

 

[Ernie]

Great when he used us to get a massive pay rise from Sky

 

[Ollie d]

The catalyst for a good run of trophy laden years, him and Reidy had the same desire with rubbed off on others, as a player legend.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

One of my favourite Everton players

 

[dholliday]

The catalyst for a good run of trophy laden years, him and Reidy had the same desire with rubbed off on others, as a player legend.

THAT is what we're missing now, ffs

 

[bring back the catt]

He was only here two seasons but in that time, pro rata, he gave as much as any player who turned out for Everton, brave
and performed for every minute he was on the field, Davie Hickson was my one idol for Everton, but Andy gave as much to Everton as Davie did. Not interested in pundits, mostly, so that side of Andy doesn't bother me.

Unfortunately, Andy will have to tow the corporate line, as dictated by the RS infested media.
At the last count, I identified 38 ex RS players doing the punditry and commentry. Hence all their games being televised 'live'.

But back to Andy as the player. Initially I, like numerous others, were unsure how an ageing player with an indifferent goal return and dodgy knees would benefit Everton. But benefit Everton he did.
A masterstroke by Howard as the character and undying enthusiasm and will to win at all costs was completely infectious. On the pitch, In the dressing room, On the training ground, And spreading onto the terraces. Why, we even felt good throughout the week. Even if Everton went a goal behind, we were certain that Andy would be one of the main protagonists to rally the team and not let heads drop.
Defeat? I don't think it was in his vocabulary.
As mentioned in another post, the effect he had on Sharpie was the reason Graeme became the player he was.
Despite his all too brief sojourn at our club, I will always remember Andy Gray as being somebody special.

If only we could find that spirit in our current crop of players, we would again be a team to be respected and feared.

 

[Eggs]

....right time, right place Gray was an integral ingredient of the on and off pitch recipe that formed a perfect blend and truly top side.

 

[Socrates]

If his Everton career can be summed up in one phrase it is "Sheer will to win"

I disliked him at first because he took the place of Adrian Heath who I was a big fan of for his guile and enthusiasm but that was all banished when he headed the goal in the cup final out of the keepers hands.
Actually, it was earlier in the cup at Notts County I became a fan when he headed the ball off the ground for the winner there.
The cup final sealed it.

I don't think I've ever seen another player anywhere who would stick his head in where it hurts to get a chance on goal like he did.

 

[ub2]

Gutted when he was flogged, then 86/87 we played Coventry away at start of season & he turned up & sat in our end, the place went mad as he arrived in the stand & as he took his jacket off he had a R** top on underneath ... cue boo's alround, he realised said "Oh sh**" & took it off straight away, he sat in the seat directly behind me so I got my prog signed.

I remember him being in our end and I don't think many ex players that were still playing have done that over the years .

 

[The Reverand]

As a few on here have mentioned already, what made this guy stand out is that he was a winner, something we're sadly missing at the moment. He was also possibly the bravest player I've ever seen wear the royal blue shirt. I don't think it's any coincidence that Sharpie's game improved tenfold after Gray joined us. There can't be many players who achieved legend status after only two years service, especially amongst us finicky Evertonians, but Gray managed it. It helped that he was part of our most successful ever team I suppose.

What I will add is that I haven't been as enamoured with him since he retired from playing. I haven't felt the love for the club that you get from other ex players, possibly because he had much longer careers at Villa and Wolves.

An old client if mine (who just happens to be a RS) is really good mates with him and says he's a really top bloke. Very down to earth and generous.

Don't know how he'd get on in the current game as it's changed so much, but in his day he was class.

Couple of interesting snippets I picked up this morning. Firstly he only won 20 caps for Scotland. Secondly, he's only 5'11"!!. That can't be right surely?

I quite admire him for being honest about his thoughts about the us; too many are happy to quote the " once Everton have touched you" line. Forget about his antics on sky he was brilliant for us. His and Reids attitude and experience allowed a bunch of kids to become men and believe in themselves - we all know what followed. I'd rather have ten like him play for us and not dine out on it for the rest of their as that means we would probably be winning things - ahh the good old days winning things.

 

[ub2]

Some great shouts in previous posts. My 2 are the performance at Leicester away early March when he got 2 and the Qpr brawl that he started and the way they backed each other up summed that team up, not like some of the ball bags that we've got playing for us now.

 

[strummer]

The most influential signing we have made in my lifetime by a mile. Howard Kendall's last throw of the dice and even at 150 000 he was seen as a massive gamble. The transformation in 18 months was remarkable and similar to what just happened to Leicester. His mental diving header at Notts County is my favourite ever goal. He's a legend in my eyes

 

[Ollie d]

Aside from his awful tweets from 4 years ago how about an Andre Grey appreciation thread...he did upset 40million Norwegians'...

 

[Tricky Trevor 7]

The mans a legend , makes his place in the all time greats of Goodision .

Here's how I feel about those gods of 84-85 , each and every one of those players gave me the happiest times of my life . I can't explain in words of the sheer joy of Bayern , or that night in Rotterdam, of that hot day in may 84 after we beat the Rs . If I had it my way there would be a statue of every one of those players around Goodison Park , for we never witnessed a good side , what we saw was the greatest ever Everton side of which we will never see again . And for that I will always be internally in debt to those Gods of Goodison .

 

[rochdaleblue]

Not only was he was a fearless player it was his never say die attitude and will to win that inspired those around him. Graeme sharp in particular was a different player with gray's influence. Shows what an astute manager Kendall was, he could see the talent within that youthful squad on the training ground, it just needed a 'couple of senior pros' to guide the youngsters on the pitch. Most title winning teams are remembered by the supporters of that title winning club only, but you only have to speak to supporters from other clubs who remembered that era and they speak so highly of that 84-85 side and the football they played. They not only won the championship, they won it in style and won many admirers at the time. Ron Atkinson and Brian clough both acknowledged what a great team it was at the time and bless him Harry Catterick although didn't see us win the league due to his ultimely death towards the end of the season gave his acknowledgement of the football that side produced. It must have given 'the cat' so much pleasure to see one of his own players from the 70 side, manager a side to the title. Great times and memories indeed.