Gray keeps memories alive

LAST OF HEED’S 1953 FA CUP HEROES IS THE LEAGUE’S OLDEST SURVIVING SHOTSTOPPER

HE can lay claim to be the oldest living Football League goalkeeper, which is quite a proud boast.

Bob Gray is arguably the finest goalkeeper in Gateshead’s chequered history, having played in their most successful team ever during the late forties and early fifties.

With Gray their last line of defence, the Heed finished second top of the old Third Division North in 49-50 - alas only the top team was promoted to Division Two - and reached the sixth round of the FA Cup three seasons later in 1953.

Gray, who piled up 432 league appearances for Gateshead plus another 28 in the cup, is due to celebrate his 97th birthday on December 14. He shared the other black and white stage on the south bank of the Tyne with the likes of the Callender brothers Tom and Jack, Johnny Ingham, Ken Smith and Johnny Campbell.

Such was Gateshead’s strength during their glory days that from 1947-48 through to 1954-55 they never finished lower than eighth in the old Third North. Ironically, their FA Cup exploits came slap bang in the middle of Newcastle United’s epic run of three Wembley victories in five years during the early fifties.

They beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 in the first round, defeated Bradford 2-1 away in round two, gained their best victory overcoming Liverpool 1-0 at Redheugh Park in the third round and Hull City away 2-1 in the fourth on the same afternoon Newcastle were shocked 3-1 at home to Rotherham.

Liverpool had beaten the Magpies home and away in the old First Division but, despite having the legendary Billy Liddell and Ronnie Moran in their side, fell to an Ian Winters goal five minutes from time in front of 15,193.

Gateshead’s quarter-final saw 17,692 shoe horned into Redheugh’s dog track stadium when a solitary goal from the Lion of Vienna Nat Lofthouse past a defiant Gray defeated the gallant Third Divisioners.

Bolton went on to the 1953 final, where they blew a 3-1 lead to Blackpool, who clinched the cup 4-3.

It will always be remembered as the Matthews Final - Newcastle had denied him his one and only remaining medal in 51 - despite the fact South Shields born Stan Mortensen scored a hat-trick.

Talking of Gray claiming the honour of being football’s oldest goalie, another long-playing record was in the possession of a second North East star until last year.

Former Newcastle and Sunderland inside-forward Ivor Broadis was this country’s oldest England international before he died aged 96.

After his illustrious playing days were over Broadis went on to become a top journalist with our sister paper The Journal and travelled with us as part of the press pack to all United’s European Fairs Cup games during their winning season of 196869.

Having first seen the light of day in Newcastle, Gray began his career as an amateur with United before joining Gateshead in 1944.

He served them loyalty until 1959 as a one-club man before dropping into non-league to round off his career at Ashington and North Shields.

I have a long time link with Gateshead, of course.

They were my second team to Newcastle when Gray was playing and I was a schoolkid on the Redheugh terraces.

I cut my journalistic teeth reporting on them for the Chron in their early non-league days and of course I later owned the club for 11 years.

Therefore Gray holds a special place in the heart.

He is the last surviving member of Gateshead’s legendary cup side so a special happy birthday big man.

This is one Gray day we will all be able to celebrate.