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Steven Gray


DutchPride
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Bit confused here, I thought someone said he was 5 foot 7 but the photo on the Heart website shows him to be much taller than that. Also, no mention of his Irish nationality - maybe he's not taking up a Visa spot?

If all that is true, then overall this is a much better signing than I first assumed.

Edit: Says irish homeland, maybe not then.

Edited by Che
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He played for my preferred Dublin side Boh's, I backpacked with a really funny Dubliner who also played a few minutes for them before turning to Debt, Cigarettes and Alcohol in Australia...

That really is the best I can do... :unsure:

Edited by cadete
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Bit confused here, I thought someone said he was 5 foot 7 but the photo on the Heart website shows him to be much taller than that. Also, no mention of his Irish nationality - maybe he's not taking up a Visa spot?

If all that is true, then overall this is a much better signing than I first assumed.

Edit: Says irish homeland, maybe not then.

John Didulica tweeted a few days ago that Gray would take up a visa spot, and that he was 6 feet 3 inches tall.

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Underwhelmed with us recruiting Gray, even for one season. Hopefully Colosimo is fit for most of the season so Gray remains a backup.

Overall though he could be a useful signing. He is somewhat tall and able to provide leadership and on the pitch coaching (especially valuable assuming he partners Hamill in defence). Gray has been playing and training in front of Aloisi and Heart staff for months, so I'll keep the faith in their judgement and wait till I see him play before I conclude he's a bad signing.

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John Didulica tweeted a few days ago that Gray would take up a visa spot, and that he was 6 feet 3 inches tall.

Well one guy on the FB page is helding true to Gray being a Midget:

"Going by pictures of him next to other players - there is no way he is 6ft3in. He is smaller than Duga."

and

"Unless he plays in platform shoes, he's an underwhelming signing to say the least."

:D :D

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I must admit, I was going by the picture of the guy at training a couple of weeks ago as being Gray. Might have been mistaken identity. The Steven Gray in today's photo looks different and much taller. Good luck to him. Can't judge until we've seen him play a few times.

But I like him too. He's a professional.

Edited by Sash
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I must admit, I was going by the picture of the guy at training a couple of weeks ago as being Gray. Might have been mistaken identity. The Steven Gray in today's photo looks different and much taller. Good luck to him. Can't judge until we've seen him play a few times.

But I like him too. He's a professional.

Wouldn't call on you for an identification parade Sash!

In his interview he presents himself very well and he's obviously a thorough professional.

It'll turn out OK. We've got some good defencsive options now.

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There is something I like about this chap. It could be just that everyone else doesnt like him (no hipster), but I'm not really sure. Anyway, his been signed as a 4th CB I imagine, and on the cheap, so it cant really go too badly wrong TBH. We dont really have anything to lose.

Edited by Tesla
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That's good Ando, as most of our previous 'cult heroes' have been hilariously shit.

Sibon? Geeze you kids have a short memory.

Most.

I get what you mean as it depends whose Cult Heroes you are talking about...

Worm was a RWU Cult Hero:

Fail :unsure:

And Roffman was more a KGB Cult Hero which caught on with wider Heart supporters, it started as a laugh really until ppl starting actually believing he could play for a few brief momments:

Expected Fail.

Shroj was a RK Cult Hero:

A Narrow Pass on ability not for his treatment towards the Club.

And some may argue Terra was near Cult Status for Heart Supporters in general:

IMO a letdown and so a Narrow Fail.

So Sibon is really your only Flying Colour Pass...

Edited by cadete
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Steve Gray's heart-felt luck of the Irish

BY ROY WARD

09 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM

MOST people go to Hawaii to forget their jobs; Steven Gray went there to audition for a spot with A-League club Melbourne Heart. Last week he got the job.

The 30-year-old Irishman signed a one-year deal with the Heart after

impressing new coach John Aloisi with his play in the Victorian Premier League with Dandenong Thunder in 2011 and Oakleigh Cannons this season. Unfortunately by signing on with the Heart, Gray won't play again for the Cannons.

Gray, who played 13 years of professional football in England with Southampton and Ireland with Drogheda United, took a punt on coming to Australia early last year with hopes of earning an A-League position.

But he was not sure he had caught anyone's eye until a phone call out of the blue in February.

"My agent called me and asked me what I was doing the next week," Gray said. "I said I had nothing planned, then he said you are going to Hawaii to play with Melbourne Heart.

"It turns out the Heart had asked a few VPL managers if there were any centre-halves [central defenders] worth looking at and my name came up."

Gray played in Hawaii under the eye of Aloisi, then the team's youth league coach, and he impressed his future boss playing against premier opposition from Major League Soccer and South Korea alongside young teammates.

"I was very impressed with the way John handled the players and found the training very professional," Gray said. "He spoke to me at the end of the week and said he was impressed and if he had any say in the club he would try and get me in.

"Part of me was excited when John got the job but the other part was thinking maybe I wouldn't get the call but in fairness to John three or four days after he got the Heart job he called my agent and invited me to training.

"So I was very impressed with how he stuck to his word."

Gray was a rock of dependability for the Thunder last season, taking over the coaching reins for the final matches of the season after then coach Stuart Munro left for Perth Glory.

Gray said he believed he was good enough to make the A-League but knew a move was far from certain.

"In Ireland I had won everything and as you may be aware the country is going through an economic struggle at the minute so a few friends over here convinced me to come out and take a chance at the VPL," he said.

"Like anything, you need a bit of luck. Thankfully it paid off."

Gray could end up playing an important role for the Heart this season after starting centre-back Curtis Good left to join English Premier League side Newcastle United.

Gray said he knew nothing was promised but would give his all to secure a place in the Heart's starting 11.

"I have to believe in myself, I know I have a lot of experience behind me from playing in Europe," he said.

"My first aim is to get into the team and then hopefully the starting team."

http://www.monashwee...spx?storypage=0

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Although he's not a super exciting signing, I think this could turn out pretty well. It seems like he will really appreciate Heart giving him a chance, so should have a good attitude and put in a big effort when he does play. The coaching experience will also be a big benefit.

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Interesting read. Seems as if Gray is very much JA's man, which is a good sign, you want the manager to get the players he wants.

after reading that article, it comes across as that he'll be a starting 11 player come round 1 since JA quite likes him.

I'm guessing our defensive half will look something like thi:

------------------Bolton---------------

Marrone--Colosimo--Gray---Behich

----------------Gerhardt---------------

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