Michael Gray

Former club and national professional footballer, Michael Gray, is best known for his dedication and loyalty to his home club Sunderland. Media, punditry and sports speaking have contributed heavily to Gray’s success after full time playing, and allowed him to remain a well-loved figure in the sports industry.

From boyhood to manhood, Gray was notorious for his loyalty to Sunderland, where he began as an apprentice in 1990, before making his senior debut in a win against Derby County. Remaining a devoted player at the Stadium of Light for a total of twelve years, Gray enjoyed many great victories and successes with the team over the years. In the 1965 - 1996 season he started every game for the side and scored the first goal for them since their promotion to the Premier League.

Before retiring in 2010 Gray had won three caps for England and, after leaving Sunderland in 2003, went on to play for Celtic, Blackburn, and Wolverhampton. Whilst playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers he assisted in their promotion and made an impact in his short time at Sheffield Wednesday which saw him win Player of the Month for January 2009.

Most recently, Gray has worked as a pundit for television and radio productions. Notably, he has become a pundit for the popular radio station, Talksport, where he analyses games, comments on tactics and scrutinises players. Additionally, Gray has written a host of blogs for BBC on topics such as team bonding and the reality behind the glamorous lifestyle of a footballer.

Outside his work in the media Gray is notorious for his outspoken and fiery personality; at the height of his career, Gray was known for openly opposing managers and arguing with teammates. As an after dinner speaker Gray harnesses this outspoken aspect of his personality and channels it into passionate and insightful sports speaker presentations.

What does it take to be the best? How do you hit and surpass big goals? How can you work under pressure? These are all questions many businesses face, from apprentices to CEOs, Michael Gray’s keynote speeches address topics that he has personally overcome in his football career and now educates corporations and individuals to utilise his techniques for success. Although with a scattering of amusing anecdotes, in addition to life lessons, Gray’s discussions are sure to be a crowd pleaser.