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Profile - Andy Gray

Centre/Wing, Born 8th January (1974 - Birmingham) Played for Handsworth, Kynoch, and Lichfield before joining Moseley - represented West Midlands at athletics. "Most Improved Player" award 2002/3.

Compared to many of the players, Andy Gray came late to rugby. Until he started his secondary education, football was his sport of choice but at Great Barr School, rugby was on the curriculum and Andy soon adapted to the game, quickly gaining a place in the school team.

He also developed an interest in athletics, focussing on hurdles, long jump and high jump and represented the West Midlands as well as becoming a member of Birchfield Harriers. However, Andy realised that if he was to succeed, he needed to concentrate on one sport and came down in favour of rugby, joining Handsworth where he played for the U16s.

Andy continued his education at Sutton College, studying physical education and joined Kynoch where he played for the U18s and first teams. In 1994, he began to play for Lichfield and, in the 1998/99 season, he was runner-up to Player of the Season in Jewson Two and was also the team’s highest try scorer. But the same season saw Lichfield relegated and Andy took the opportunity to move to Moseley, quickly establishing himself in the first XV. When asked about his worst moment in rugby, Andy claims that it was not accepting an invitation to join Moseley earlier.

Andy missed most of the 2001/2 season through an injury sustained in training when he fractured a cheekbone in a collision with three team-mates! But he made a comeback in 2002/3 making 24 appearances, scoring 4 tries and gaining the club’s "Most Improved Player" award.

In his spare time Andy enjoys, swimming and working out with weights.

Andy missed the start of the 2006/7 season. Firstly he retrained as a fireman, which meant he had to miss all of the summer’s training, and then after one of the longest courtships on record he got married, and enjoyed a honeymoon in the Caribbean. He is now back in training, and subject to his job responsibilities (and Mrs Gray’s permission!) will once again be available for selection.