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Corinthian-Casuals appoint ex-Palace, Tottenham, QPR, Villa, Swindon, Bury, Millwall player

Corinthian-Casuals appoint ex-Palace, Tottenham, QPR, Aston Villa, Swindon, Bury, Millwall player Andy Gray as their new manager.

The Isthmian League Premier Division outfit, with 23 points from 37 games, bring back their former footballer but in the role of their new boss for the upcoming 2023/24 season.

Andy Gray, aged 18, made his senior debut with Casuals, then spent some time at Dulwich Hammer before Crystal Palace snatched him up. 

After a debut in England, spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, followed by spells with Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and spells with Crystal Palace.

Brian Adamson will continue to be in charge of the team until the end the current season.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Corinthian-Casuals Football Club are delighted to announce that Andy Gray will take over as manager of our men’s first team from the beginning of next season.

Gray will begin planning for the role immediately, while interim manager Brian Adamson continues in charge of the team until the end of the current campaign.

Gray, who played as a winger and a midfielder in a playing career that took him to the very top of English football, started out in the senior game with Corinthian-Casuals in January 1983, at the age of 18.

Under the guidance of legendary manager Billy Smith, he played a starring role in our run to the FA Cup first round proper the following season, when we bowed out to Bristol City after a replay. Among his Casuals team-mates at the time was Alan Pardew.
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“It’s surreal to be back,” he said on accepting the role. “This is the only kind of management job I would have considered. I know what it means to play for Corinthian-Casuals and I will turn every stone for this club. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Gray, 59, points to his grounding in non-league as providing the perfect remedy to help him fall in love with football again after he was released by Crystal Palace as a teenager, saying of his time with Casuals, “I didn’t put any pressure on myself. I enjoyed it, and with that enjoyment it just led onto bigger and bigger things.”

Those bigger things took him back to Crystal Palace and all the way to the top of the English game. He was a goalscoring hero for the Eagles as they overcame Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final in 1990, to set up a date at Wembley. He also represented Aston Villa, QPR and Tottenham in the top flight.
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In 1991, he earned an England cap under Graham Taylor, playing against Poland in a qualifier for Euro 92. In the latter years of his career, after a season with CA Marbella, he played in a Scottish Cup Final with Falkirk, before finishing his career with spells at Bury and Millwall. To this day, Gray remains the last Corinthian-Casuals player to represent the full England team.

Andy was in attendance on Saturday as we beat Wingate and Finchley 1-0, and is looking forward to connecting with the supporters and the local community.

“Come and support us because we are going for it,” he said. “I’ve never sat on the fence – we’re going to get hungry players who want to play for this club. I’m all about getting the ball into the danger area as soon as possible to score goals. It’s about entertaining, that’s my philosophy. Basically, the pitch is still the same, the goals haven’t moved and it’s still about scoring goals.


“Corinthian-Casuals is a big name, a very big name. Look at the people connected to the club, like Micky and Alec Stewart – these are blue-chip figures in sport. So if there’s a talent looking to get into, or back into, the pro game, they couldn’t come anywhere better. This is a chance for them to get back on the boat.
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“Our doors are open for everyone – whatever their circumstances, however they’ve fallen down, I’m a shoulder to lean on, someone to speak to and put them back on track, because I’ve been there. For me, this is where it all started and now I’m coming back… and I’m happy, I’m very happy!”

GRAY’S CAREER:

Youth
1980–81 – Crystal Palace

Senior – *Club domestic league appearances and goals
Corinthian Casuals
Dulwich Hamlet
1984–1987 – Crystal Palace – 98 games (27 goals)
1987–1989 – Aston Villa – 37 games (4 goals)
1989 – Queens Park Rangers – 11 games (2 goals)
1989–1992 – Crystal Palace – 90 games (12 goals)
1992–1994 – Tottenham Hotspur – 33 games (3 goals)
1992 → Swindon Town (loan) – 3 games (0 goals)
1994–1995 – CA Marbella – 33 games (2 goals)
1995–1997 – Falkirk – 34 games (1 goal)
1997–1998 – Bury – 21 games (1 goal)
1998 – Millwall – 12 games (1 goal)
Total – 305 games (50 goals)

International career
1988 – England U21
1991 – England

This is what fans had to say as Corinthian-Casuals appoint ex-Palace, Tottenham, QPR, Villa, Swindon, Bury, Millwall player as new manager…

@jimmneal: Best of luck Andy, I’m certain you will do an amazing job

@cpfcmaz: Awesome news! Great appointment and I’ve no doubt the legend that is @Real_AndyGray will bring success to a great club with all his experience 🎉🎉🎉

@rickeveleigh: Congratulations Andy! Can’t wait to see what happens. 10 years’ time, you’ll be succeeding Gareth as the next Palace manager.

@mgtd76: Looks like I’ve got a new ground to visit next season

@bryter_skies: I can see a no nonsense manager there 👊

@pauljam19759849: All the very best Andy 🦅

@barneyfarmer22: Congratulations Andy Gray. If you manage as well you played you’ll dominate the league

@typicalpalace: Best of luck Mr CPFC

@mattcpfc77:
Fantastic news 👏🏻
All the best @Real_AndyGray
They’re a lucky bunch of players to be learning from you
Will see you down there 💯
BOOM BOOM 💥

@TheSpikester: Go ahead Bro’ best wishes in your new role 👍

@Marknevard2: Congratulations legend. Hope all goes well

@palace_nomad: Well done Andy – great signing by the Casuals 👏👏👏

@Sitdown_Jim: Fantastic news good luck Andy ❤️💙

@sunnyboy12345: Congratulations and all the best @Real_AndyGray and @CorinthianCas

@fivestarjane: Congratulations Andy, that’s brilliant xx

@JoeyD999: Risky appointment, hope it works out! 👍🏻

@StephenRodin1: Good luck Andy ❤️💙🌟

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