18-year-old backs himself to be one of the fittest players at Tottenham
Archie Gray has opened up about growing up in a family that has produced several top-class footballers and spoke about whether he feels under pressure to live up to the family name.
Rich heritage
There are not too many footballing families in the UK with as rich a history as the Grays, who have had players playing at the highest level across multiple generations.
Archie’s great uncle, Eddie Gray was one of Leeds’ greatest ever players and managed the Yorkshire club twice while his grandfather, Frank Gray won the European Cup at Elland Road.
Meanwhile, Archie’s dad, Andy, also made 51 Premier League appearances during his time at Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.
Gray’s admission
Despite being from a family of such decorated footballers, the Tottenham man admitted that no one put any pressure on him to make it as a professional.
The 18-year-old told The Times: “It’s not about living up to the family name, it’s never about that.
“There’s no pressure, even my little brothers, they just love playing football and it’s the same with me, there was never any pressure on us. If we weren’t footballers they wouldn’t be disappointed or angry or anything. They would be happy with whatever we did.”
Gray’s younger brother, Harry, is now making waves in the Leeds academy and it was reported last month that Tottenham are keeping an eye on his development too (TBR Football).
When asked about playing backyard games with his siblings growing up, the Spurs man said: “We still play now. It’s always me and my youngest brother against the two middle ones, two v twos, or we do a little crossing game, it’s hilarious. My dad used to referee but he’s sick of it now, sick of all the tears.”
Natural athlete
Gray revealed that football was not the only sport he was quite skilled at growing up, admitting that he tried his hand at tennis, swimming and cricket.
Speaking about his cricketing exploits, the teenager said: “I was a batter, I couldn’t bowl for anything, I just used to smash it about.”
The midfielder also confessed that he enjoyed running from a young and that he takes pride in his fitness levels.
He added: “My mates used to think it was weird and say, ‘Why do you enjoy running?’ But I loved the feeling of it. Even now I definitely back myself to be one of the fittest in the team.
“We didn’t do pre-season fitness tests this season but at Leeds, I would make sure I was one of, if not the, fittest player. Growing up, my dad always made me work hard before pre-season. He made me run and run and I loved it.”
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