Kev’s old pal’s act for Reds boss Edmo
Last updated 13:42, Tuesday, 01 July 2008
FORMER Carlisle United hero Kevin Gray snubbed a return to his first club Mansfield in favour of helping old team-mate Darren Edmondson mount a promotion push with Workington Reds.
The veteran defender, left, revered by Carlisle fans for his role in back-to-back promotions under Paul Simpson, has joined the Borough Park outfit after his release from Chesterfield.
Mansfield, relegated from the Football League last term, wanted to take Gray back to the club where he started his career as a teenager.
But the 36-year-old opted to drop a further level into Blue Square North where he will team up with former Huddersfield colleague Edmondson.
Speaking for the first time about his move to Reds, Gray told News & Star Sport: “There was one other offer – from Mansfield – but I wasn’t keen on travelling so far away from home.
“I live in Carlisle and playing for Workington means I can stay up here, which is what I wanted.
“I’ve known Darren from Huddersfield and have spoken to him a few times since those days. He’s a good character, was a decent player and I think he’s got the right qualities to be a good manager. Gray, who will finalise his move this week, is joining Reds purely in a playing capacity and while he holds coaching badges, the former United captain said he had not discussed helping Edmondson in training.
“Darren has got the staff that he wants and I am just going there to play,” said Gray, who trained with the Reds squad for the first time on Saturday.
