Feature

THREE generations: Archie Gray's incredible footballing family

2 Jul 2024

We look at the extraordinary roots of Spurs' new signing

New Tottenham Hotspur signing Archie Gray is set to be the latest player to follow in their father's footsteps to play in the Premier League.

There are 23 father-and-son pairs in Premier League history, the latest being Patrick and Justin Kluivert. The most famous are perhaps the Schmeichels and the Wrights.

Feature Fathers and sons who have played in Premier League

Fathers and sons who have played in Premier League

We take a look at the 23 sons who have followed in their fathers' footsteps in the top flight

But Archie Gray's story is remarkable and goes beyond just one generation.

The 18-year-old's dad is Andy Gray, who played 51 times in the Premier League, for Leeds, Archie's former club, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.

Archie's grandfather is Frank Gray. Frank won the First Division title with Leeds in 1973/74 and the European Cup with Forest in 1979/80.

Furthermore, Archie is the great nephew of Eddie Gray, one of Leeds’ best ever players, who won the First Division title twice, an FA Cup and a League Cup. Eddie twice managed Leeds, including succeeding Peter Reid in 2003/04, Leeds’ last in the Premier League until they were promoted again for 2020/21.

And it doesn't end there, as Archie also has a brother, Harry, who is in Leeds' academy.

"Ever since I was young I used to watch my dad [Andy] play and I heard about my uncle playing and my grandad Frank, I've always had to live up to it," Archie told the Daily Mail in April.

"My dad's been really good with me for advice, but I've been very lucky that everything has come together for me.

"Ever since I was 15 things have come at me so quickly, but I've just got to be grateful for what I've got and keep improving."

Archie Gray's footballing family

Brother: Harry Gray, current Leeds player
Dad: Andy Gray, former PL player
Grandad: Frank Gray, European Cup winner
Great uncle: Eddie Gray, legendary former Leeds player/manager

Andy Gray
Eddie and Frank Gray
Eddie Gray
Archie Gray

Andy Gray

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Andy Gray, Archie's dad, played in the Premier League 51 times

Eddie and Frank Gray

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Eddie Gray, left, and Frank Gray, right, both played for Leeds and won numerous trophies

Eddie Gray

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Eddie Gray, Archie's great uncle, also managed Leeds in the Premier League

Archie Gray

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Archie Gray is the latest Gray to make his way to the Premier League

Archie's dad, grandad and great uncle all played for Scotland, but Spurs' new signing has his sights on representing England, his country of birth.

"Hopefully I can [get England recognition], but I've just got to take it step by step and keep focusing on my club football," Archie told the Daily Record in April this year. He has now won two caps for England's Under-21s.

"I'd be really happy just to play for my country. My hopes are to play for England, definitely. It's where I'm from and where I've grown up.

'I'm three quarters English, so that's where' I'm at. My dad is totally happy for whatever makes me happy, even though Eddie supports Scotland. But I'm the same as him, I'm happy as long as he's happy."