Andy Gray (footballer, born 1955)

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Andy Gray (footballer, born 1955) : biography

30 November 1955 –

International goals

(NB scores and results list Scotland’s goal tally first)

Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 8 September 1976 Hampden Park, Glasgow FIN}} 4–0 6–0 Friendly
2 8 September 1976 Hampden Park, Glasgow FIN}} 6–0 6–0 Friendly
3 20 September 1978 Praterstadion, Vienna AUT}} 2–3 2–3 ECQG2
4 26 March 1980 Hampden Park, Glasgow POR}} 2–0 4–1 ECQG2
5 28 May 1983 Ninian Park, Cardiff WAL}} 1–0 2–0 BHC
6 19 June 1983 Varsity Stadium, Toronto CAN}} 1–0 2–0 Friendly
7 19 June 1983 Varsity Stadium, Toronto CAN}} 2–0 2–0 Friendly

Personal life

Gray became infatuated with the former Olympic gymnast Suzanne Dando when she landed a job alongside him on Sky Sports in 1999. Gray told tabloid reporters that his womanising days were not over.

Until recently he was engaged to Rachel Lewis, an ex-model and the former wife of his long-time friend and agent The Life Ring, August 2006; accessed 4 October 2006 and he wants to return to live in Back, Outer Hebrides on the Isle of Lewis in the near future.

Gray has married twice, to Vanessa Taylor and Jacqueline Cherry. He has fathered five children, by four different women – his two ex-wives and former girlfriends Sara Matthews and Janet Trigg. The People, 2 April 2006; accessed 4 October 2006

Honours

Aston Villa

  • League Cup: 1977

Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • League Cup: 1980

Everton

  • Football League Division One: 1985
  • FA Cup: 1984
  • European Cup Winners’ Cup: 1985

Rangers

  • Scottish Premier League: 1989

Commentary career

After retiring as a player, Gray became a football commentator, pundit, and analyst on Sky Sports, serving as a Scottish facet of its Premier League coverage since its inception in 1992, most notably alongside studio anchor Richard Keys and lead match commentator Martin Tyler. In addition, he reported for Sky from Euro 2004 in Portugal, although Sky did not have broadcast rights for the games. He commentated for BBC Radio 5 Live in the 2002 World Cup and for ESPN in Euro 2008. Gray also provides betting tips for Betfair, and also provided commentary for EA Sports’ FIFA series of video games until being replaced in the 2012 edition of the game series by Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith.

In January 2011, Gray was forced to apologise for comments he made about a female assistant referee, Sian Massey, in a Premier League match. Believing that his microphone was switched off, Gray commented to co-host Richard Keys, "Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule." Keys replied "Course they don’t." The comments were criticised by Sky Sports, football fans and the Football Association. On 24 January it was announced that both Gray and Keys would be banned for one game. On 25 January 2011, it was announced his contract was being terminated for unacceptable behaviour. Barney Francis, Sky Sports’ managing director, said Gray was dismissed "in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour in an off-air incident that took place in December 2010". The Daily Telegraph suggested that the Sky statement refers directly to a clip of Gray and Charlotte Jackson in rehearsals for the Sky Sports Christmas Special. While Jackson is attaching a microphone pack, Gray lifts his belt and says: "Charlotte, can you tuck this down here for me?"

In late 2011 Keys and Gray appeared in Smash It!, a show designed for the corporate hospitality circuit. The title of the show came from sexual remarks that Keys had made to Jamie Redknapp. An earlier theatre tour in 2011 had to be cancelled due to poor ticket sales. He is now presenting on Talk Sport mid morning show as sidekick to Richard Keys. His TV career is continuing alongside Richard Keys as a pundit on Al Jazeera Sport.

Gray’s former team mate at Everton, Peter Reid, has suggested that Gray’s dismissal may be connected to a legal battle between Gray and News of the World (both it and Sky are owned by News Corporation) over phone-tapping.