Gray promoted to Head of Academy by Blackburn

Gray said: “This club has a rich history and a strong culture of developing young players and I am fully committed to leading our team at the Academy in nurturing the next generation of talent.

“We will foster a culture of excellence through skill and hard work. Our goal is to empower young players, ensuring they not only develop their skills on the pitch, but also grow as individuals off it.

“I firmly believe that the foundation of any successful football club lies in its youth development. As Head of Academy, I will focus on creating an environment where young players can thrive, harness their potential and embrace the values of teamwork, discipline and perseverance.

“I look forward to working closely with our multidisciplinary staff and the local community to ensure that Blackburn Rovers remains a nurturing ground and hub for talent, instilling a sense of pride and identity in every player who comes through our Category One Academy.”

Gray will be supported by John Prince, who recently replaced Jordan McCann (who went to Arsenal as Model Lead) as Head of Academy Coaching.  

Prince, who joined Rovers as Senior Youth Development Coach in May 2021, said: “I am thrilled to move into the role of Head of Coaching at our prestigious Academy and I am excited to work with Paul, who shares my passion for developing young players.

“I’m looking forward to working with our dedicated team of staff to drive our programme forwards and to provide all our players with a fantastic football experience, as we strive to maximise their potential.”

Blackburn placed 21st in our Academy Productivity Rankings for 2023/24.