Henry Gray (Ipswich Town FC | England)

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coochiee
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From Flying Kiwis.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Culzm7YtOqt/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0559ec65-47ac-4957-a33b-923e77ec6c16

Finally got that official word from the club: Ipswich Town have confirmed the signing of NZ U20s international goalkeeper Henry Gray, a former Wellington Phoenix Academy prospect... although we already knew this was coming after ‘Ipswich Town’ popped up as his club on the squad list for that U20 World Cup. Cat out of the bag. But now ITFC have made it known for all, unveiling Gray as part of a triple pledge of young goalkeepers. Gray joins Scotland U18s keeper Woody Williamson and local prospect Antoni Burt, who is of Polish descent, in signing fresh contracts.

Rene Gilmartin, ITFC head of goalkeeping: “This shows our commitment to nurturing young talents and building a strong squad for the future. We firmly believe that their unique skills and passion for the game will contribute significantly to the Club's success. Henry is someone we’ve known about for a while now, so it’s good to have him here. Woody had an impressive season last year and has the potential to continue his development further, while Antoni Bort is a prime example of someone who’s committed to working hard and not letting setbacks get in the way of his development. I’m looking forward to seeing their progression over the course of the season.”

It’s a two-year contract for Gray and if he manages to progress to the first team then he’ll join Lee Norfolk, Tommy Smith, Rory Fallon, Chris Wood, and Monty Patterson as NZers to have played for the Tractor Boys.  

Up Next: It’ll be academy footy to begin with – he’s listed with the U18s on Wikipedia for what that’s worth
July 21, 2023 15:02
mrsmiis
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90 mins for the U21s in a 1-0 win over Monty Patterson's former club Braintree Town of the National League South
July 29, 2023 18:57
Wibblebutt
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bump
February 27, 2024 22:26
NZKnowledge
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February 27, 2024 23:08
YoungHeartHM
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Matches coming thick and fast now as we get towards the pointy end of the season.

Gray's Chelmsford City (2nd) travelling to Farnborough (14th) tomorrow morning.

Hopefully he can keep up his excellent run of form in between the sticks.
February 28, 2024 00:31
YoungHeartHM
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Yeah we should probably utilise this thread more than the Kiwis in UK one.

Anywho, another appearance for Gray this morning, but unusually for him, no clean sheet in a 1-1 draw at Farnborough. What you might call a bit of a disappointing result having had the opportunity to close the gap at the top to 9 points with 11 fixtures left to play.

As it is, Chelmsford stay 2nd after this one, while their opposition move up to 13th.
February 28, 2024 14:22
YoungHeartHM
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Thought Gray was on loan until the end of the season already. 

Sensible play nevertheless. Should guarantee at least another 11 games in the league, and if Chelmsford can hold their form they'll at a minimum qualify for the National League South playoff Semi-Finals.
February 29, 2024 02:35 · Edited February 29, 2024 11:58
YoungHeartHM
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Chelmsford and Gray get back to their clean sheet ways with a 2-0 win against Aveley FC to remain 2nd in the National League South.

Next up, back home on Tuesday morning to face 3rd place Worthing FC.
March 03, 2024 09:39
Nelfoos
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YoungHeartHM


Chelmsford and Gray get back to their clean sheet ways with a 2-0 win against Aveley FC to remain 2nd in the National League South.

Next up, back home on Tuesday morning to face 3rd place Worthing FC.

Would love to see the incidents for 4 red cards in a game!
March 04, 2024 10:05
coochiee
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Chelmsford City (2nd, 79 pts) with 3 games left a strong chance of finishing 2nd, and then into the playoff. Likely a bridge too far to catch Yeovil Town (1st, 86 pts). YT with 2 games in hand, so they would have to seriously implode not to finish top. Just the one automatic promotion spot.

Chelmsford beat Yeovil 1-0 on the weekend, in a nice confidence boost. Gray in goal & another clean sheet. Hopefully Chelmsford get promoted to the National League (English 5th tier). A full season at that level on loan from Ipswich, probably be good for Gray's continued development. Or who knows some L2 clubs may even give him a chance on loan.

Him or Kees Sims behind Paulsen at the Olympics? I guess it doesn't really matter as a 3rd keeper will likely go as a travelling reserve.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/24/england/conference-n--s/chelmsford-city-fc/yeovil-town-fc/4117111/

https://us.soccerway.com/national/england/conference-n--s/20232024/south/r75712/
April 04, 2024 13:13
RR
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April 10, 2024 04:40
YoungHeartHM
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RR

Does that mean he's now 3rd choice keeper at Ipswich? Well for the time being at least...Not bad for 19 years old, and another great experience to add to what's already been a pretty successful first season for the lad in England.

Chelmsford fans are absolutely gutted though, couldn't have happened at a worse time for them - Right before the playoffs! That and I think their regular #1 is out for the season as well. 
April 10, 2024 05:40
coochiee
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Sounds like Ipswich carry 3 keepers with their Championship match day squads, so with one out injured and 19 yr old Gray promoted, presumably he's ranked no 4 within the club ranks.

Ipswich in a very tight race with Leicester City & Leeds for the 2 automatic promotion spots to the EPL.

https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/24242125.ipswich-town-henry-gray-recalled-chelmsford-city/

(Chelmsford City) Manager Robbie Simpson said: "Unfortunately we received a call from Ipswich this morning saying that they wanted to recall Henry due to an injury to one of their keepers. They always have three matchday keepers so with one out injury it was Henry’s opportunity to step up."
April 12, 2024 11:54
YoungHeartHM
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Nice nomination here for young Henry for his performances at Chelmsford City during his recent loan spell. 👏
April 23, 2024 06:35 · Edited April 23, 2024 06:36
RR
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May 05, 2024 10:25
and 2 others
Marto
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He's managed the one thing Tommy always lusted after but never got at Ipswich. Good on him. Now to nail down that starting Prem spot!
May 06, 2024 18:44
YoungHeartHM
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Marto
He's managed the one thing Tommy always lusted after but never got at Ipswich. Good on him. Now to nail down that starting Prem spot!

After his successful loan spell at Chelmsford before being recalled, I'd love to see him get a good loan out next term, but step it up to say the National League or even a club in League Two. 

That would probably present the best career path trajectory given such a young age. 
May 06, 2024 19:11
MetalLegNZ
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League 1 or 2 hopefully.

Would be cool if he got to go away on their pre season tours and everything.
May 06, 2024 21:14
YoungHeartHM
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MetalLegNZ
League 1 or 2 hopefully.

Would be cool if he got to go away on their pre season tours and everything.

If he gets loaned to a League One outfit and can make an impression/get good minutes then that puts him squarely into the AW's rotation alongside Paulsen & Crocombe. And that's with a very capable Kees Sims waiting in the wings too.

Easily the best depth and quality we've had in the goalkeeping department for the national team ever?
May 06, 2024 21:57
coochiee
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Not sure he's good enough to be a starting keeper in League One next season??

Maybe he is, but it's taken Crocombe 10 years to do it! Plus some luck - Burton Albion's incumbent getting injured at the start of the season.

In reality Gray is currently the 4th ranked keeper at Ipswich Town, the 2nd or 3rd ranked guy got injured leading to Gray being recalled from his loan deal. And with the Tractor Boys being promoted to the EPL, they could well sign a new quality keeper or two.

Unfortunately Chelmsford City (2nd in National League South, English 6th tier) got knocked out of the promotion playoffs losing 2-3 to Braintree Town (5th) at home. 34 yr old Freddie Sears, formerly with Tommy Smith at Ipswich & then Colchester with one of Braintree's goals.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/27/england/conference-n--s/chelmsford-city-fc/braintree-town-fc/4351268/

You never know, but League Two or National League on loan might be more Gray's opening next season. A very decent level for a 19 yr old GK.
May 06, 2024 22:29
MetalLegNZ
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I think he will be looking at League 2 or higher. Yes he is young, but he had a stand out season in the Conference.

At a guess, the league would be fairly 'competative' in the physical sense with maybe not as much protection for a keeper as you see higher up the food chain.

Interesting call to say SIMS is in the wings - arguably he is currently playing at the highest level of any of the kiwi keepers.
May 07, 2024 07:53
YoungHeartHM
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MetalLegNZ
I think he will be looking at League 2 or higher. Yes he is young, but he had a stand out season in the Conference.

At a guess, the league would be fairly 'competative' in the physical sense with maybe not as much protection for a keeper as you see higher up the food chain.

Interesting call to say SIMS is in the wings - arguably he is currently playing at the highest level of any of the kiwi keepers.

I say Sims in the wings purely because in any squad you take 3 keepers into any international duty.

Crocombe being the incumbent - and fair enough, he's had good form over the past couple of seasons over in England and is worthy of being 'the top dog' for the national team (for now at least) and is in the prime goalkeeping years of his career.

Paulsen, well we all know how good he is - Would not be surprised to see him grab the #1 spot for the AW's over the next little while (perhaps even for the Nations Cup) and he has the potential to hold onto that spot for a very long time.

Right now I still think it's a toss up between Gray & Sims for that third spot. He's already been called up for the senior team at short notice - Although that was probably more convenience than anything to be honest. I can't find the exact post I made, but during the U20 World Cup I was on record that Gray should've at least been given a shot. If he gets a loan to League One then I think he gets that 3rd spot. 

Again this is just my opinion.

Will be interested to see where Tzanev ends up too, as he's still well in the mix.
May 07, 2024 09:52 · Edited May 07, 2024 19:22
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