Product Description

Andy Gray has been at the forefront of British football for over three decades. Now, for the first time, he tells his own remarkable story, and that of the modern game.

From a fanatical footballing household in Glasgow, Andy worked his way to become a teenage prodigy at Dundee. But it was in England that Andy’s name was cemented as one of Europe’s top strikers. At Aston Villa he scored 69 goals in 141 appearances and remains the only footballer to win both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year in the same season. Greater glories awaited him at Everton, where he won the League, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup. These triumphs – along with the inspiring (and infuriating) managers, the goals, the games and the fans – are vividly brought to life while also explaining how the game was evolving around him. He also describes the early days of Sky Television, and the temptation of becoming a manager.

Andy Gray is unique in tracing a line from the beginnings of the modern game to the Premiership, while still remaining passionate and impartial.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #76071 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author

Andy Gray began his professional career in 1973, is the only footballer to be named PFA Player and Young Player of the Year in the same season and was at one time the most expensive footballer in Britain. Having won almost every domestic honour, he joined Sky Sports in 1991 where, among other accolades, he has been named The Royal Television Society's Sports Presenter of the Year.

Customer Reviews

Interesting insight to what happens after a player's career
Andy Gray’s one of those people who is probably more famous since he stopped playing than when he was as a player. Gray Matters tells his life story, his various club moves, what he thought of each manager (and there are a few where he really hasn’t held back) and a bit of insight into some of the key moments of his playing career.

This in itself is quite interesting although nothing that really stands out as yet another biography by yet another player. What is more interesting though is Gray’s description of how he got involved in football commentary, and an insight to how he tries to commentate on games which are on TV. The book does sometimes border of being an advertising medium for Sky and himself which is irritating but bearable. He also tells his version of how near he got to being manager of Everton which is definitely interesting.

All in all, it’s to the point and honest, and for that alone I think you’ll enjoy it.

A real page turner, compulsive reading.
This highly recommended autobiography is written in an upbeat style, full of humour and biting personal opinion. The book covers Andy Gray's entertaining life before, during and after football and dodges none of the issues or situations (on and off the pitch) along the way. The book comprehensively covers Gray's playing career with Scotland, Everton, Dundee Utd, Rangers, Wolves and Aston Villa. Stories and incidents highlight Gray's natural leadership qualities and the emotive issue of Gray's sale by Howard Kendall (making way for Gary Lineker) is handled in an open and honest way. The book does not engage Gray's Sky Sports style impartial analytical skills in a critique of the football tactics of the teams that he played for and against. However, this makes the book all the more interesting, focusing as it does upon his personal opinion and experiences. From the perspective of a biased Evertonian, this book is rivalled only by Graeme Sharps autobiography in the compulsive page turning stakes.
Sharpy: My Story

Gray is not the most exciting colour in the paint box
I bought this book for two reasons. First, I like Andy Gray's TV personality - he's intelligent, honest and witty. Second, I enjoyed his earlier book "Flat Back Four" which analyses tactics and how they have evolved in football - not many laughs, I admit, but it was one of the most intelligent football books I have ever read (although I admit there aren't too many contenders in that category).
So I was hoping for either an intelligent read along the same lines (encouraged by the title "Gray Matters", geddit?), some good anecdotes, or some of the on-screen humour. I came away with nought out of three. In terms of content it is hard to imagine this book was written by the same person as wrote "Flat Back Four" (although in retrospect that book was co-authored by Jim Drewett who has written several other books on coaching and tactics). I was hoping for some similar analysis of how the teams Gray played for (and coached) played, some depth that went beyond a litany of "It was another disappointing season for Wolves/Villa/whoever but the main reason was the manager ..." That might well be true but get out the chalkboard and explain it to us, Andy!
Humour? I'm not sure Gray's TV personality really transfers to the page. Away from the banter he comes across as having a bit of a high opinion of himself (and that's probably why he is a millionaire and married to Suzanne Dando and I'm not!) but it isn't necessarily likeable. Also be prepared for the plugs for his current employer - it would have been simpler to have just put a Sky TV logo on the top left hand corner of every screen, sorry, page.
And anecdotes? A month after putting this book down for the last time I can't remember any in particular, although you do have the feeling that when Andy "hangs up the mike" there might be an updated autobiography and he might have held back some of the best bits for that. After all, if you are a TV pundit depending on access to people in the game you don't want to tell many honest stories about them. Perhaps the most memorable bit was Andy admitting that as a Rangers fan he was angry when they signed Mo Johnston, a Catholic, and if he had a season ticket he would have considered ripping it up. That was shock to me (a bit like the time the England team on the way to the World Cup (in 1982?) posed with Margaret Thatcher <>). Gray now sees the error of his ways but mainly because it put Rangers at a disadvantage by limiting the players they could sign, not because there is anything wrong with disliking someone purely because of their religion. Top marks for candour and honesty but, like the book as a whole, disappointing.
If you are not deterred get it from the library. And if you really want to spend some money buy "Flat Back Four" instead.