Damon Gray Explained

Damon Gray
Fullname:Damon Ian Gray
Birth Date:1988 7, df=y
Birth Place:Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Wallsend Boys Club
Youthclubs2:Newcastle United
Years1:2007–2009
Caps1:5
Goals1:1
Clubs1:Hibernian
Years2:2008
Caps2:11
Goals2:3
Clubs2:Partick Thistle (loan)
Years3:2008–2009
Caps3:10
Goals3:1
Clubs3:Partick Thistle (loan)
Years4:2009–2010
Caps4:31
Goals4:11
Clubs4:Berwick Rangers
Years5:2010–2011
Caps5:21
Goals5:5
Clubs5:Östersund
Years6:2011–2012
Caps6:47
Goals6:15
Clubs6:Berwick Rangers
Years7:2012–2013
Clubs7:Kelty Hearts
Years8:2014-2015
Clubs8:Ballingry Rovers
Club-Update:11:45, 21 July 2012 (UTC)

Damon Ian Gray (born 11 July 1988) is an English footballer. He began his professional career with Scottish Premier League club Hibernian, and spent time on loan with Partick Thistle. Gray then played for Berwick Rangers for a season before moving to Sweden. He re-signed for Berwick in 2011 before moving to Kelty Hearts in July 2012.

Playing career

Hibernian

Gray started his career with hometown club Newcastle United after impressing scouts with his play for Wallsend Boys Club.[1] Gray was signed by Hibernian after failing to gain a senior contract with Newcastle, and was a prolific scorer for the Hibs youth and reserve sides. He made his Hibernian debut as a late substitute in the 2007 Scottish Cup semi-final against Dunfermline in April 2007.[2] Later that month, he netted his first goal in a 2–2 draw with Aberdeen.[3] He failed to win a regular place in the Hibs first team, however, and was loaned out twice to Partick Thistle. Gray was released by Hibs in May 2009, at the end of his contract.[4]

Loans to Partick Thistle

Gray was loaned to First Division club Partick Thistle in early 2008, where he stayed for the rest of the season. He made his debut appearance as a substitute against Queen of the South and then scored two goals for Thistle against rivals Clyde. He also scored a notable goal in the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium, helping Thistle to a 1–1 draw. Gray returned to Partick Thistle for a second loan spell in July 2008.[5] He scored on his second debut for Thistle in a Challenge Cup win against Queen's Park.[6]

Berwick Rangers

After his release by Hibernian, Gray went on trial with St Mirren,[7] but he did not earn a contract from the SPL club. In late July 2009, Gray signed for Third Division club Berwick Rangers.[8] [9] The pairing of Berwick and Civil Service Strollers in the 2009–10 Scottish Cup meant that Gray returned to the ground where he regularly trained while he was with Hibs.[10] Gray left Berwick Rangers at the end of the 2009–10 season.

Östersunds

Gray joined Swedish outfit Östersund after a successful trial period.[11] [12] On expiry of his contract in Sweden, Gray returned to Berwick Rangers in February 2011.[13]

Kelty Hearts & Ballingry Rovers

Gray moved into Junior football in July 2012, signing for East Superleague club Kelty Hearts then onto neighbours Ballingry Rovers until they were wounded up as a football club.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Hardie, David. Hibees won't rush hot-shot, Edinburgh Evening News, 2 September 2006.
  2. News: Hibernian 0–0 Dunfermline. BBC Sport. 13 April 2007.
  3. News: Aberdeen 2–2 Hibernian. BBC Sport. 21 April 2007.
  4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/8062141.stm Hibs braced for more player bids
  5. News: Partick Thistle get Gray on loan. BBC Sport. 25 July 2008.
  6. News: Partick Thistle 2–1 Queen's Park. BBC Sport. 26 July 2008.
  7. News: Gus MacPherson happy things are looking Gray for strike options . . 8 July 2009.
  8. News: BREAKING NEWS . berwickrangers.net . 29 July 2009 . 30 July 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110723024934/http://www.berwickrangers.net/newsitem.php?nid=91 . 23 July 2011 . dmy .
  9. News: Berwick sign former Hibs striker Gray . . 30 July 2009.
  10. News: Hibs memories tell me Cup tie will be no stroll . . 22 October 2009.
  11. News: Kokaindömde skotten Richard Hart till Östersund. www.fotbolltransfers.com . 23 June 2010 . 28 August 2010 . Swedish.
  12. News: Damond Gray har skrivit på för ÖFK . Ostersunds FK official website . 8 July 2010 . 28 August 2010. Swedish.
  13. News: Scottish League Division Three . . 12 February 2011 . 21 July 2012.
  14. News: Kelty add striker. SJFA. 20 July 2012 . 21 July 2012.