GRAY EYEING REDEMPTION

MATT GRAY is back, refreshed, refuelled and ready to make his mark in the dugout once again.

- Tony Banks

Gray, 42, steered Sutton United to a remarkable promotion to the Football League in 2021, and then kept the Surrey club there for two and a half years before being harshly sacked in December last year.

At that point, results had begun an upturn after a wretched start to their third League 2 campaign when injuries wrecked his squad, with his side having lost only one of their previous eight league and cup games before a heavy defeat at eventual champions Stockport spelled the end.

Gray admits that the sacking knocked him sideways, and he took some time out to recharge his batteries, turning down several job offers.

He admits: “I did not feel ready to jump back in. Although what happened at Sutton wiped me out, looking back it was for the best. I needed a break.”