Preece lands prolific goal scorer Gray

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Published: Tuesday, 26 May 2015 20:36

AIRBUS UK Broughton director of football Andy Preece is delighted to have signed prolific goal scorer Tony Gray.

Preece has ended a long search for a marksman and beaten off competition from clubs in both England and Wales to sign the prolific ex-Southport, Droyslden, Chester and AFC Telford striker.

Gray, 31, scored eight goals from 17 (+4) Welsh Premier appearances for Bangor City in season 2004/5 after joining from West Cheshire League Division One Club Newton where he had played a part in the club's 2003/4 championship season.

He then moved to Burscough before making his mark in the Football Conference with Southport, Droylsden, Chester and Telford, scoring 56 goals from 133 (+29) appearances. 

Last season, Gray notched 20 goals for the struggling Bucks and was voted club and players' player of the season at the New Bucks Head.

"I am really pleased to have signed someone of the calibre of Tony Gray, his scoring record speaks for itself," Preece says.

"I have come up against him many times but this is the first chance I have had to sign him. "He has been scoring goals regularly in a struggling side in the Conference and is still at the peak of his career with some of his best years ahead of him.

"We needed someone to take the weight off Chris Budrys, Andy Jones and Ricky Evans, none of whom are prolific goal scorers.

"We need more goals and, with Wayne Riley coming back to full match fitness, Tom Field and Matty McGinn also in good scoring form, Tony normally gets around the 20-mark.

"It's difficult to entice players into the Welsh Premier League but we've managed to get Tony and I'm so pleased to have signed him at this stage in his career."

"I'm made up. I had a few options, but weighing them all up Airbus was the best for me," Gray says.

"I had a decent season and scored a few, so I thought there'd be interest, but Airbus showed the most interest and they wanted me the most.

"I was at Chester with Ash (Ashley Williams) and Matty(McGinn)  which helped too, and I know Tom Field. Obviously I've spoken to Andy (Preece) as well and he seems like a good fella. He said he's been following me for a while.

"I'm looking forward to getting going. Every striker wants to hit the ground running and score goals. I don't set myself targets - I'll just score as many as I can!"