Leeds Legend Eddie Gray Reflects on Club’s Glory Days and 49ers’ Influence
Leeds United icon Eddie Gray was an integral part of the club’s golden era, experiencing firsthand the triumphs at Elland Road. During a remarkable nine-year spell from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, Leeds claimed the English top-flight title twice and finished as runners-up on five occasions in the old First Division.
Yorkshire was a dominant force during this period, with the club also securing an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cup victories. Though the European Cup eluded them in 1975, the squad—meticulously assembled by legendary manager Don Revie with a strong Scottish core—was among the continent’s finest teams.
Now, Leeds’ American owners are striving to restore the club to its former heights, having taken full control. Gray believes the San Francisco 49ers’ financial backers, who have invested heavily in Leeds, may have similar ambitions for Rangers in Scotland, as they explore a potential takeover of the Glasgow club. As reported by Record Sport, discussions are underway for the 49ers to bring Rangers into their growing football portfolio.
With Daniel Farke leading Leeds to the top of the Championship and eyeing a Premier League return, Gray is optimistic that a similar cash injection could rejuvenate Rangers.
49ers’ Potential at Ibrox
Speaking to Record Sport, Gray emphasized Rangers’ stature:
“Rangers are a massive club with a huge fanbase. They’ve had a difficult period, but I don’t think it would take much to turn things around because of the support they have. The 49ers group has the expertise to make that happen.”
Gray is impressed by the 49ers’ approach at Leeds, particularly the global visibility they’ve brought to the club.
“The 49ers are a worldwide brand. Everyone knows them, and the people working for them are passionate about football. They’ve taken the time to understand what Leeds means as a club and a city.
“What excites them most is the atmosphere at games. It’s different from what they experience in America, and they see the potential that comes with investing in such passion. That will be a key attraction if they take over Rangers.”
While it’s still early days for the 49ers’ ownership at Leeds, Gray remains hopeful about their long-term vision.
“They want to take Leeds back to the top. It’s not easy—there are plenty of challenges—but their ambition is clear. I’d expect them to have the same mindset at Rangers, looking to turn the club around.”
Financial Hurdles and the Path Forward
Despite the positive outlook, the 49ers’ ownership has faced criticism, particularly regarding their handling of player sales. Former Leeds manager Sam Allardyce was vocal about the club’s decision to offload key players during a relegation battle, accusing chairman Paraag Marathe—who is leading the Rangers takeover talks—of undermining his efforts.
Among those sold was Gray’s nephew, Archie, who joined Tottenham for £40 million. Other departures, including former Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara’s move to France, have seen player sales exceed £150 million since the takeover.
While Rangers currently struggle to establish a sustainable player-trading model, Gray believes Leeds has moved past the need to sell to survive.
“The challenge is keeping top players if promotion isn’t secured quickly. Every ambitious player wants to compete in the Premier League, and that’s understandable.
“That’s why getting back up is crucial. Once you’re in the Premier League, you can retain your best players and build a strong squad. The owners understand how to maximize talent—they’ve done it in the NFL, which is a huge business. They know how to build success, and so far, it’s been good for Leeds.”
Gray has met with Marathe and is confident in his leadership.
“I’ve been impressed. He loves football—he’s caught the bug. Coming to Leeds has given them a taste of what European football can be like. Their goal is to return to the Premier League and push forward from there.”
Stadium Expansion and Future Growth
Beyond the pitch, the 49ers are also focusing on modernizing Elland Road. While the stadium remains one of England’s most atmospheric venues, it has lagged behind the state-of-the-art facilities in the Premier League.
Plans to expand the stadium from its current 37,000 capacity to 53,000 were unveiled last September. Gray believes this is essential for the club’s growth.
“Leeds is one of the biggest cities in England, and if we’re going to be back in the Premier League, the stadium isn’t big enough.
“We have 22,000 season ticket holders and another 20,000 on the waiting list. The demand is there—we could sell out twice over if the capacity allowed. The 49ers have big plans for both the club and the ground, and they’re a very forward-thinking group.”
As Leeds pushes for a return to the top flight, Gray remains hopeful that the club—and potentially Rangers—can benefit from the 49ers’ ambitious vision.
