PLAYED FOR BOTH: ANDRE GRAY

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Ahead of Friday's match with Luton we caught up with the former Clarets and Hatters striker

2024-01-10T12:49:55.139Z

PLAYED FOR BOTH: ANDRE GRAY

Ahead of Friday's match with Luton we caught up with the former Clarets and Hatters striker

2024-01-10T12:49:55.139Z

Ahead of Friday's match with Luton we caught up with the former Clarets and Hatters striker

One former Claret who will be watching Friday evening’s game with interest is Andre Gray. The current Al-Riyadh forward spent over two years at Kenilworth Road before an impressive spell at Brentford earnt the striker a move to Burnley in 2015.

Reflecting on his time at Turf Moor, Gray highlighted the 'special environment' around the Club and reminisced that first Premier League goal against Liverpool.

Speaking to the TURF matchday programme, Gray said: “It was a massive move in my career joining Burnley. After talking to Sean Dyche at the time, it was the perfect place for me to go and take another step to try and get to the Premier League.

"It was the same sort of environment as Luton, with really good people there and a really good environment to be in at the Club. I just grew from there as well.

“My first year at Burnley I think that’s probably the best moment of my career. In terms of awards and statistics, I won Player of the Year, winning the league and going unbeaten, there was so much that went into it to do it in that fashion was the biggest achievement as a whole in my career."

After helping the Clarets seal promotion and the Championship title with 23 league goals, Gray then bagged his first top-flight goal the following season in a victory over the Reds and it's a moment that the forward admits will stay with him forever.

“There was a lot of emotion in it. Just getting that Premier League, it’s hard to put into words, but I still remember like it was yesterday the feeling when it went in. So that’s something that will stay with me forever.”

Before his spell with the Clarets, Gray spent just over two seasons with Luton, where he made over 100 appearances with a near average of a goal every two games. His spell in Bedfordshire also included a first ever Wembley trip, a memorable FA Cup run and the Conference Premier title in 2014 securing promotion to League Two in his final season with the Hatters.

Discussing his time with Town, the Wolverhampton-born striker said: “Luton gave me a massive opportunity, It was my first time at a big club and obviously they gave me a route back into professional football.

"I’ve got nothing but good words to say about the club and all the people that worked there, especially all the staff literally from top to bottom.”

Gray added: “I spent two and a half years at Luton and obviously we got really close to promotion in my spell there, obviously getting to Wembley and everything.

"The second year was a weird one, our main goal was promotion but we still had a fantastic FA Cup run, it was something I don’t think many fans will forget let alone me and the third year was the year we managed to do it.

“I think at the time my mind was, I was happy to stay, we were promoted and in League Two now, but when a Championship team came knocking it was impossible to turn down. I just had to back myself to go there and take that next step which I did.

"It was difficult leaving Luton and me & Gary Sweet had a great conversation, wanting me to stay, but it was a dream to go to the Championship and play there. That opportunity may not have come around again quickly.”

Gray described Luton's remarkable rise over nine years from the Conference Premier to the Premier League as 'unbelievable' and the former Watford & QPR man is keeping a close eye on his former side.

“It’s unbelievable what they’ve done. I watched the last six games and I think every game I think how unlucky they’ve been to have that run of games against all the big boys but to see how they’ve competed, they were unlucky against Arsenal and Man City, but it shows how difficult it is to go to Kenilworth Road and pick up results, you’re going to have to fight there is a different level in quality with the big boys but you can see it doesn’t deter them and there is no fear.

"It’s pure determination and passion and that’s from the crowd as well. So when they do move stadiums, I think it’s going to be a bit of a shame. They’ve done better than anyone ever thought. It’s easy to look at the table but at the end of the day, you've got to see how they are performing and watching them play. It’s a joy to watch.”

Speaking about the gulf between the Championship and the Premier League , Gray believes it's a difficult bridge to gap particularly in the first season since promotion, but acknowledges that it can be done.

“It shows the difference in the level between the Championship and the Premier League. I’ve always said it’s difficult to make that jump because the level of quality is so different.

"Everything is on a whole other level. That just shows with the teams that have just come up. Burnley play good football now big massive change at the club.”