Leeds United: ‘Incredible’ Archie Gray picks up EFL award away from Elland Road
Leeds United youngster Archie Gray was a double winner at the EFL awards on 14 April, following a debut season described as “incredible“ by Justin Allen.
The academy graduate has been ever-present in their promotion push and collected both the Championship Young Player of the Season and Apprentice of the Season awards on a big night for the 18-year-old.
Gray has proven to be equally adept in central midfield or at right-back for Daniel Farke’s side, playing almost every minute of Leeds’ fightback to promotion contention.
Writing in a full rundown of the EFL awards ceremony for The Sun, Allen said: “What an incredible season for the academy graduate.
“The midfielder only broke into the side this season and has started 38 of Leeds’ 43 Championship games. He is one of the first names Daniel Farke puts on his team sheet every week.”
Award-winning Whites must now finish the job
Gray wasn’t Leeds’ only player to collect an award at the EFL ceremony on 14 April, with winger Crysencio Summerville crowned the Championship’s Player of the Year ahead of both Leicester midfielder Kieran Dewsbury-Hall and Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics.
Summerville has an astonishing 17 goals and eight assists so far this campaign, while Gray is yet to score his first career goal for the Peacocks.
He thought he’d broken that duck in Leeds’ momentous 3-1 victory over Leicester in February, but had it taken off him and instead awarded as a Wout Faes own goal.
Farke was also up for manager of the season but lost out to Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, a double blow for the German after his side lost 1-0 to Blackburn at Elland Road on 13 April.
The Whites therefore missed out on the chance to overtake both Ipswich and Leicester – sides they’ve beaten both home and away this season – having failed to score with any of their 19 shots before being picked apart late on by Rovers.
With Summerville and Gray both collecting awards as the climax of an enthralling Championship campaign really begins to bite, Leeds will need their two players of the season now more than ever as they bid to make it back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites need forward Georgina Rutter to start scoring soon if they are to earn promotion.
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