Leeds United nurtured Archie Gray, but he is now a Tottenham Hotspur player ahead of his return to Elland Road today.
The 19-year-old comes from a long line of famous Leeds United players with the last name Gray, and brother Harry Gray could also be involved in some capacity against Spurs.
Gray lifted the Europa League with Tottenham and he faces Leeds today as a Champions League player, which comes just over a year after leaving West Yorkshire when Leeds were a Championship club.
Gray even referenced Leeds after he won the Europa League, with Gray’s Leeds colours remaining despite joining Spurs. But, despite coming through the ranks from the age of eight, it’s unclear how he will be welcomed today.
Leeds United fans provide verdict on Archie Gray’s return to Elland Road
Anton Stach has fired Spurs and Gray a warning already today, particularly regarding how Leeds will battle today in midfield. However, Gray thanks Leeds for his development during a 10-year association with the club.
In fact, Daniel Farke outlined a potentially very bright future for Gray in this week’s press conference. Similarly, Thomas Frank has offered Gray advice regarding his reunion with Leeds.
Despite his family name, the Leeds academy graduate was sold to Spurs after just one professional season at the club. Gray played 52 times under Farke in 2023/24.
It remains to be seen how likely he is to start, even if Tottenham fans want Gray to feature against Leeds at Elland Road today. It also begs the question over how he will be received.
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Speaking on X (formerly Twitter), one fan said: “He’s a Gray – It should be nothing but respect.”
Another added: “His family has given their lives to Leeds. His brother plays for us , he still supports and follows us . Very likely to come back to us at some point in his career. I reckon we’ll beat spurs but their facilities, coaching staff and players are levels above us.”
A further response read: “He’s a Leeds fan, a former player and his kid brother is in our squad. He’s related to Eddie. Anyone who doesn’t give him a great reception is a complete tool. He didn’t want to be sold. We sold him cos we had to.”
Of course, some claimed they would be keen to boo. But the vast majority of the replies read similarly to the above, and another stated: “Respectfully, he’s leeds and he knows he is.”
How many other players have played for both Leeds United and Spurs in recent memory?
It’s easy to believe the youngster jumped ship when the reality is also that Gray helped Leeds out a lot financially, even if his departure threatened to be a major blow for the Whites that summer.
Gray has broken Spurs records, but it’s fair to say his development has slowed down this season after a raft of new signings in midfield and defence. A former Leeds player is keeping him out of the right and left-back roles.
That is Djed Spence, who could be one of three players today who has featured for both clubs. Joe Rodon and Spence could take to the pitch with Gray.
Since Adam Smith and Andros Townsend in 2011, Jack Clarke and Manor Solomon are the only two other players to have played for both clubs.