Bert Gray (rugby league) explained

Bert Gray
Fullname:Alfred Bert Gray
Birth Date:1 August 1890
Birth Place:Glebe, New South Wales, Australia
Death Place:Bondi, New South Wales, Australia
Club1:Glebe
Year1start:1912
Year1end:26
Appearances1:102
Tries1:33
Goals1:1
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:101
Teama:New South Wales
Yearastart:1913
Yearaend:22
Appearancesa:19
Triesa:8
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:24
Yearbstart:1920
Yearbend:21
Appearancesb:4
Triesb:1
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:3
Teamc:Metropolis
Yearcstart:1915
Yearcend:23
Appearancesc:4
Triesc:0
Goalsc:1
Fieldgoalsc:0
Pointsc:2
Updated:6 May 2020
Retired:yes
Source:[1]

Alfred Bert Gray (1890–1967) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played for Glebe in the NSWRL competition in the 1910s and 1920s. He represented New South Wales and .

Background

Born in Glebe, New South Wales to parents Ernest and Jane Gray, Gray learnt the game of rugby in the Glebe rugby union juniors before switching to rugby league. His younger brothers Paddy[2] and Frank were also first-grade rugby league players. Another brother, Tom, played reserve grade for Glebe.[3]

Playing career

Gray played in twelve first grade seasons for Glebe between 1912 and 1926. Following a three season absence while serving in World War I, Gray returned to first grade in 1919.

Gray was selected to represent during the 1920 Ashes series against . He was selected again for Australia for their tour of Great Britain in 1921–22. He played just five matches during this tour after suffering a knee injury. This knee injury hampered the remainder of his career, and was ultimately the cause of his retirement in May 1925.[4]

Gray came out of retirement for the 1926 season after the twelve month break afforded him a chance to rest and recover.[5]

He played in the 1922 Grand Final for the Glebe team that was defeated by North Sydney Bears 35–3.[6]

Post-playing career

Gray was a selector for Australia, New South Wales, and Metropolis for a total of 20 years until retiring in 1952.[7]

Death

Gray died on 17 December 1967, aged 77.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Albert Gray - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. Rugby League Project.
  2. News: 21 July 1924. Brothers All. Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Trove. Bert Gray, an international player, and A. Gray were the pick of Glebe's forwards. The latter is a State representative cricket player..
  3. News: 14 June 1926. The Three Grays. Evening News. Sydney. Trove.
  4. News: 6 May 1925. "Bert" Gray: Great Forward Retires. Evening News. Sydney. Trove.
  5. News: 12 May 1926. Bert Gray to Play. Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Trove.
  6. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995.
  7. News: 14 February 1952. Selector Retires. Sydney Morning Herald. Trove.
  8. Sydney Morning Herald: Death Notice .- 18/12/1967