Jake Gray (footballer)

Gray was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and attended Grange School.[1][3][4] He began his career at Wycombe Wanderers before joining Crystal Palace when he was fifteen, after Wycombe Wanderers closed their academy at the start of 2012–13.[5] He progressed through the youth system and development squads,[5] before signing his first professional contract, effective from 1 January 2013 until the end of 2014–15.[6] Gray made his professional debut as a 62nd-minute substitute for Dwight Gayle in a 3–0 win away to Walsall in the League Cup second round on 26 August 2014.[5][7] He also featured in the third round as a 90th-minute substitute for Paddy McCarthy which resulted in a 3–2 defeat to Newcastle United after extra time.[8] Following the expiry of his previous contract, Gray signed a new two-year contract with the club on 2 July 2015.[9]

On 16 January 2015, Gray joined League Two club Cheltenham Town on a one-month loan.[10] He made both his Football League and Cheltenham debut in a 1–1 draw with Luton Town on 24 January.[11] Gray made three further appearances before returning to Crystal Palace, despite being keen on an extension.[12][13]

On 5 November 2015, Gray joined League Two club Hartlepool United on a one-month youth loan.[14] Two days later, he made his Hartlepool debut in a 1–0 win over former loan club Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup first round.[15] Gray followed up with a brace, his first professional goals in a 3–1 win at home to Leyton Orient eight days later.[16][17] After making three appearances for Hartlepool, Gray's loan was extended until 2 January 2016.[18] On 5 January, his loan spell at Hartlepool was extended until the end of the season, by now having made eight appearances for the club.[19] Gray's next appearance saw him score the opening goal with a volley during a 2–1 defeat at home to Derby County in the FA Cup third round, before his opponents came from behind to win the match.[20] Gray went on to complete his loan spell, making 33 appearances and scoring six goals for the club in 2015–16.[21]

On 1 August 2016, Gray signed a two-year contract with League Two club Luton Town on a free transfer.[22] Under the terms of the transfer, Crystal Palace would be due a contingency sum in any event of a future sale.[22] He made his Luton debut as a substitute on the opening day of 2016–17 in a 3–0 win away to Plymouth Argyle.[23] Gray scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win at home to newly relegated Championship club Aston Villa in the EFL Cup first round on 10 August.[24] After the end of the season, Gray was transfer-listed by Luton,[25] having made 28 appearances and scored four goals in 2016–17.[23]

On 26 June 2017, Gray signed for fellow League Two club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[26] At the end of the 2018–19 season, Gray was released by Yeovil following the club's relegation from the English Football League.[27]

Gray signed for National League club Woking on 25 August 2019.[28] In September 2019, he joined Hampton & Richmond Borough of the National League South on a one-month loan.[29] While on loan, this was extended for a further month.

Gray returned to Woking in November but was unable to hold a regular starting place in the team. On the 10 January it was announced that he would be returning to Hampton & Richomond for a further five weeks.[30]