DiscoverOn The Spot Football PodcastIn conversation with Barry Gray
In conversation with Barry Gray

In conversation with Barry Gray

Update: 2025-12-04
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From Mid-Ulster to the Premiership: The Untold Story

The next guest on On The Spot Football Podcast is one of Northern Irish football's most fascinating figures.

⚽ The Journey

  • Started coaching at 16 in a community centre
  • Took Warrenpoint Town from Mid-Ulster League to the Premiership
  • Kept a small regional club at the top level for 7 out of 10 years
  • Managed Cliftonville and Newry City

💼 The Businessman

  • Successful entrepreneur who balanced boardroom and dugout
  • One of the few managers who understood both sides of the coin

💪 The Survivor

  • Fought throat and neck cancer while managing
  • Made the toughest decision: choosing life over football

🔥 "Players were on £50 a week at Cliftonville competing in Europe"

😤 "I had no training facilities, no warm-up gear, and no manager's office at Newry"

⚖️ "The relegation injustice at Warrenpoint - we took it to court"

👥 "We treat players like players. We should treat them like people"

🎯 "The problem with Irish League football? We've missed the people part of it"


This isn't just a football story. It's about survival, ambition, making impossible decisions, and what it really takes to succeed with nothing.

Now live on all podcast platforms

Hosted by Johnny McMurray



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In conversation with Barry Gray

In conversation with Barry Gray

Arkmedia