Source: FOOTYMAD
Former Claret Gray dies
We have just learned the sad news that Billy Gray, a Burnley player of the 1950s, haspassed away at the age of 83. Gray was signed by Burnley manager Alan Brown in 1953 from Chelsea, a winger brought in to replace Sunderland bound Billy Elliott.He'd played over 160 games for the London club and went on to become a regular in the Burnley side for almost three years, able to play on either wing. He played mainly on the right but lost his place eventually to Doug Newlands and was eventually sold to Nottingham Forest.By then he was 30 but he amazingly went on to play over 200 games for Forest, including their 1959 FA Cup Final against Luton. He moved on to Millwall as player/manager and also managed both Brentford and Notts County before returning to Forest as groundsman in the 1970s.Gray was a massive crowd favourite with fans at Chelsea, Burnley and Forest and it is appropriate that tonight we face one of his former clubs.Our thoughts are very much with Billy's family and friends at this sad time.
