Archie Gray was back at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon but didn’t manage to get off the bench as Tottenham Hotspur edged past Leeds United to win 2-1.
It was the first time that the 19-year-old Thorp Arch academy product had returned to Elland Road since completing a £40m move to Spurs back in 2024: Gray, one of five family members to play for Leeds.
His father, Andy, was alongside Harry, who was absent due to a hip problem, while his great-uncle Eddie was also in attendance as always. Grandfather Frank Gray also played for Leeds during his playing career.
Archie will have watched his old side dominate his new side, unlucky to go in at half-time, only drawing the match but perhaps thankful that Brenden Aaronson’s shot was parried into the path of Noah Okafor.
What the Leeds fans sang at Archie Gray while he warmed up
Okafor’s second Leeds goal came after Mathys Tel’s deflected effort found its way past Karl Darlow. The Wales no.1 will feel he should have done better with it, but the second deflected goal wrong-footed him.
Struijk was the one to deflect again, as Mohammed Kudus struck from the edge of the area to put Spurs 2-1 in front. Another game in which Leeds have deserved more, but come away with nothing to show.
Football London’s Alasdair Gold reported what he heard Leeds fans sing to Gray as he warmed up on the touchline. Gold also says long-linked Leeds target Ben Davies felt Gray should show some appreciation.
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Gold posted: “The Leeds fans sing to Archie Gray ‘You’re Leeds and you know you are’. He smiles before jogging off from his warm-up. Ben Davies seemed to suggest to him he should have acknowledged it.”
When could Archie Gray next make his first appearance v Leeds?
Leeds do not face Tottenham in North London until May 9, the third-last game of the Premier League season. Of course, Gray and Spurs could take on Leeds before then if the two sides meet in The FA Cup.
Tottenham fans wanted Gray to start on Saturday after his impressive cameo against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League during the week, having seen a shot at goal saved only to deflect in off a defender.
Leeds are now done until after the October break. They face two incredibly big games when it comes to avoiding relegation upon their return, a trip to Burnley before facing West Ham on October 24.