KEVIN GRAY Part 1

By Phil Tooley

This article originally appeared in the home programme for the Mansfield Town match. Part Two to follow.

Sheffield born Kevin Gray, who'll be 36 next month, doesn't have the greatest credentials to be a Chesterfield player. He started his pro career at Mansfield Town and he supports Sheffield Wednesday!

However, having joined his former Huddersfield Town team mate Lee Richardson here at Saltergate in the summer, the iron man has shown that he's got plenty to offer The Spireites in our quest to bounce straight back to League One at the first opportunity.

Having had to bide his time following a pre-season hamstring problem, the former Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle United centre half has recently cemented himself in the heart of the defence. And having been part of a promotion winning squad at Field Mill and (twice) at Carlisle, he knows just what's needed to move up a level.

So how did he come to the attention of our neighbours, The Stags? "I moved away from Sheffield when I was about 6 or 7 to near Retford and played for the County side and that's where Mansfield spotted me and I ended up there."

Initially signed by Ian Greaves, the man at the top soon moved on and fellow central defender George Foster took over the hot seat, as a player-boss.

Kevin didn't have to wait too long to make his football league bow. On May 6th 1989, aged just 17, Foster gave him his first chance to play at senior level. The Stags won the game 3-1 with goals from Kearney, Cassells and Hathaway. The unfortunate opponents? Chesterfield! Dave Waller scored our goal to at least set one record, scoring in an 8^th consecutive match. However it was a bit of a wake ofr Spireites as we were relegated to the basement.

Current Chesterfield Physio Jamie Hewitt played as did our Football in the Community officer Andy Morris plus current Cheltenham Town Assistant Manager Bob Bloomer whilst the Stags included ex Chesterfield keeper Andy Beesley plus George Foster, Simon Coleman and Steve Charles. The crowd was just4767.

"I remember it well," says Kevin adding, "Mansfield won the game 3-1, a good game for me to start in. I was marking Andy Morris, so a tough start. I can't remember too much about the run up to the game though and I'd completely forgotten that Chesterfield were relegated!"

Indeed if you're ever on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' and get a question on Kevin's career, don't use him as a 'Phone a Friend.' Much better to pass rather than rely on the tough man!

He does remember though some of the Field Mill backroom staff during his time across the M1, "Billy Dearden was coach whilst Kevin Randall, Dave Bentley and Dave Thompson were all there as well."

The following season, still as a youngster, Kevin played quite a few games - 16 in the League - as Mansfield finished in mid table with two more ex Spireites in their ranks, Steve Prindiville and Steve Wilkinson.

Perhaps the most memorable game that season wasn't a great win, but a huge loss at Luton Town in the League Cup. After losing the first leg 4-3 at home, The Stags travelled down to Kenilworth Road and were hammered 7-2 with South African Roy Wegerle scoring a couple and Lars Elstrup bagged a hat-trick. Former Saltergate hero Danny Wilson played as well. "That was down on the Astroturf pitch that used to be there. They were far better than us, they dominated the game from the start," recalls Kevin.

In 1990-91, Kevin became more of a regular, appearing in 31 league games, but The Stags were relegated. He did manage his first senior goal, in a 2-1 loss at Cambridge United, "I don't score too many goals, but I can't remember that one!"

Two more familiar faces in the squad that season, Paul Holland broke through from the youth side whilst Steve Spooner moved in.

Mansfield Town bounced straight back but Foster and Greg Fee, another former Spireite, were the two regular centre halves. Kevin played the first couple of games but missed a 2-0 win here at Saltergate and that brought Foster and Fee together and they went on to help their side win 10 and draw 2 in the next twelve games though Kevin did manage 11 starts and 7 more games as sub during the course of the season.

He scored against Blackpool in the League Cup in a 4-2 loss as Phil Stant and Cliff Carr came into the Mansfield side.

"I was still quite young so wasn't too disappointed that I wasn't a regular. I was able to learn of George and Greg. I played alongside Greg for a few games as well as playing with George and they were both a massive help for me, they taught me quite well as did another chap called John Newman who was George's assistant. He was very helpful to me."

1992-93 saw The Stags relegated again but Kevin became a regular starter again in a squad that also contained Chris Perkins, four years before he became a Chesterfield Semi Final hero.

Highlight of the season? Playing Newcastle United in the League Cup, managing a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 loss in the two games. Barry Venison, Brian Kilcline, Kevin Sheedy, Gavin Peacock and Ray Ranson played for The Magpies who were then in the 2^nd level but ended it being promoted to the Premier League. "We lost the game, but I remember Brian Kilcline in particular playing for them."

Andy King replaced George Foster for the 93-94 season, the departing manager was a great teacher for Kevin, "George was fantastic, he helped me through a hell of a lot."

King selected Gray for every game that season, Adie Boothroyd was a new team mate, as mid table and two goals (against Scarborough and Hereford) were the headlines. However, at the end of the season, he was on the move. Neil Warnock paid £20,000 to take him to Huddersfield Town.

Read Part Two of Kevin's career in the Wrexham Programme on New Year's Day.