Just 12 months after leaving Leeds United, Archie Gray was playing a part in helping Tottenham end their 17-year wait for silverware with the Europa League trophy.
Spurs secured a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday night to secure the title ahead of Ruben Amorim’s beleaguered side, with Archie Gray coming on as a substitute in the final few minutes.
Indeed, Gray’s introduction came alongside Djed Spence. Two players that played roles for Leeds during the 2023-24 campaign – albeit, Gray clocked up 50 appearances for Leeds, while Spence only seven.
Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the game just before half-time and Spurs worked hard to hold onto the lead – securing a 1-0 win. Gray posted on Instagram following the win, underlining his delight.
Archie Gray sends message to Tottenham fans after final win
Remarkably, Gray has secured a trophy in his first season with Spurs despite the London club going trophyless for so long – losing the 2019 Champions League final and then the Carabao Cup in 2021.
Gray told Tottenham supporters that it was a big night for the club, ending their trophy drought: “Stuff dreams are made of! What a day! What a team! What a day for the club and the fans, especially.”
It comes after playing every single minute of the first nine of Tottenham’s 16 Europa League games. He came on as a sub in the tenth outing, only to be left on the bench for the next four prior to the final.
A post shared by Archie Gray (@archie.gray06)
How Gray’s old Leeds teammates responded to his trophy win
While Johnson got the goal, Spurs have Micky van de Ven to thank for his incredible acrobatics on the goalline to keep Man United out. Spurs clung on and secured a massive win in front of a raucous crowd.
Archie’s younger brother and Leeds wonderkid Harry was pretty active on Instagram. Harry teased name-sake Harry Maguire with a post on Instagram, before promptly deleting the upload from his story.
Responding to Gray’s Instagram post, Pascal Struijk posted an emoji while Stuart Dallas described the win as “incredible”. Luke Ayling, Kalvin Phillips and Spence also responded to the win on his Instagram post.
It has been an incredible first season for Gray at Spurs. While the London club have struggled, Gray will never have imagined playing 45 times in all competitions and secure a trophy in his first season, at 18.
