Harry Gray posts 14-word message as Leeds United return beckons
The young Leeds United star has been on loan at League One Rotherham since January.
Leeds United youngster Harry Gray has waved goodbye to loan club Rotherham following six months of regular first-team football.
Gray joined the Millers on a half-season loan in January with the aim of securing senior EFL experience, knowing he would struggle to enjoy any kind of football as parent club Leeds battled for Premier League survival. The 17-year-old got his wish, starting 20 League One games and scoring three goals.
That contribution was not enough to keep the struggling South Yorkshire side afloat, however, with relegation to League Two confirmed last month. But Gray consistently impressed at the New York Stadium despite the difficult situation, grabbing a sole assist in Saturday’s 3-2 final-weekend defeat at Wycombe Wanderers.
Following the conclusion of the League One season, Gray’s spell at Rotherham has now ended. And the teenager posted a brief goodbye to his temporary home on Instagram, writing: “Thank u everyone @rotherhamunited for my time there all the best for the future”.
Gray knew he was being thrust into challenging circumstances when joining Rotherham in January, with the Millers deep into a relegation battle. But two goals in his first four appearances made for a promising start to life in South Yorkshire.
A brief dry spell followed and after suffering a hamstring strain in March, Gray returned to Thorp Arch for treatment from parent club Leeds. The young striker missed around three weeks of action before returning to his loan side in early April.
Matt Hamshaw, the head coach who signed Gray, had been sacked by that point but the Leeds youngster continued to impress under Lee Clark. He scored in a potentially important 2-0 win over Leyton Orient but those points only managed to delay relegation, rather than keep it away.
Throughout his six-month loan spell, Gray has kept boyhood club Leeds close and was even spotted in the away end at Old Trafford for a historic 2-1 win in April. Pictures also circulated on social media of the teenager at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.
He will now return to West Yorkshire where discussions will soon begin regarding his plans for next season. With Leeds all but securing another year of Premier League football following Friday’s 3-1 win over Burnley, another loan could prove fruitful to ensure the regular football enjoyed over the past six months continues.