Irish striker Jamie Gray joined a long line of young guns to turn professional at Stevenage FC. In securing his three-year deal in August 2016, Gray followed fellow Academy grad Mark McKee into the senior ranks at the Hertfordshire club by signing a pro deal. Gray moved to the Lamex in summer 2015, having played with St Kevins Boys beforehand. The Republic of Ireland forward was to be the seventh Academy graduate to join the Boro’ first team squad during the first weeks of the 2016-7 campaign.

Jamie Gray: After Boro’

At first, Gray seemed to be taking the right strides towards the first team. He made his first outing as a senior player towards the back end of the 2016-7 campaign; turning out in our 1-0 home defeat against Mansfield Town. He made two further sub appearances between then and the end of term, before continuing to progress in the 2017-8 season. While there were sporadic opportunities in the first half of term, the second saw him loaned to Royston Town.

The departure of Darren Sarll arguably didn’t help his cause; Dino Maamria now in charge by the time Gray’s contract was up for renewal in summer 2018. There would be no fresh deal for the striker, however. It seems that he returned to Ireland after leaving the club. But his time in English football wasn’t done; Bromsgrove Sporting signing him as in July 2020.