Gray, 42, steered Sutton United to a remarkable promotion to the Football League in 2021, and then kept the Surrey club there for two and a half years before being harshly sacked in December last year.
At that point, results had begun an upturn after a wretched start to their third League 2 campaign when injuries wrecked his squad, with his side having lost only one of their previous eight league and cup games before a heavy defeat at eventual champions Stockport spelled the end.
Gray admits that the sacking knocked him sideways, and he took some time out to recharge his batteries, turning down several job offers.
He admits: “I did not feel ready to jump back in. Although what happened at Sutton wiped me out, looking back it was for the best. I needed a break.”
This story is from the September 01, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 01, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR TAGS TEAM
I FELT like I had been magically transported to an alternative universe of Non-League spectator consumption on my recent visit to Hashtag United.
BAZZA'S BACK AT SAINTS WITH IAN
ST ALBANS City have brought in Ian Culverhouse to help rescue their season – and welcomed the return of a legend at the same time.
RECORD NOT ON RYAN'S AGENDA
QUORN player-boss Ryan Beswick won't be drawn on whether he is aiming to make his side Northern Premier League Midlands Division 'invincibles' after a stunning first half of the season.
DOCKERS SPOIL CITY PARTY AT THE DEATH
TILBURY were the party poopers this weekend, as they defeated Cambridge City at the newly opened FWD-IP Community Stadium in front of 1,459 fans.
BLUES ARE GUNNING FOR A CUP BONANZA
HERTFORD Town's youngsters are Gunn-ing for glory in the FA Youth Cup - as they prepare for a plumb tie against the mighty Arsenal.
DEAN'S IN IT TO WINS IT AT BLUES
AT the start of the season, the FA Vase was barely on Winsford United’s radar.
WE'RE DIALLED IN FOR A GLORY RUN
STEP 7 club Dial Square FC have reached another milestone after stretching their unbeaten home record to TWO YEARS!
AXED ANGELO PLANS AN INSTANT RETURN
ANGELO Harrop insists he will bounce back from his shock sacking by Braintree Town - and is already preparing to dive back into management.
THOMAS LEAVES IT LATE FOR MARTYRS
FRAZER Thomas netted an 88th-minute winner to give Merthyr Town victory and end Bracknell’s 13-match unbeaten run in the Southern League Premier South.
OSHILAJA SEES RED IN LATE DRAMA
AN incredible finish saw Dover pegged back in this top-of-the-table clash.
