Will Gray hailed as “best on pitch” after teenager makes first Shrewsbury Town start
The Salop academy scholar earned praise from defender Will Boyle after making his first start
Teenager Will Gray was hailed as the “best player on the pitch” after making his first start for boyhood club Shrewsbury Town.
Gray left the field to a standing ovation after impressing in midfield during Town’s win over Oldham Athletic, a result that secured their League Two safety.
The academy scholar had already caught the eye of boss Gavin Cowan after appearing as a substitute against Crewe Alexandra and Bristol Rovers last month, and was handed a place in the starting XI just days after turning 17.
The academy starlet played 79 minutes before being replaced and was lauded by match-winner Will Boyle at full-time.
“I thought he was the best player on the pitch,” said Boyle.
“Unbelievable - the maturity that he's shown. We know the quality that he's got, because he's trained with us all season.
“He's just turned 17, and to go out there and produce that performance with such maturity, the decision making, the clarity that he played with, it was unbelievable to be honest.
“I thought he was very, very good.”
Gray was one of three changes following the defeat at Bromley last Tuesday, partnering Taylor Perry in a reshuffled midfield after the loss in south London.
The teenager set the tone early with a strong tackle to halt an Oldham attack.
He was later involved in several attacking moves and showed composure on the ball, helping Salop defend resolutely to secure the narrow win and retain their Football League status.
At full-time, Gray joined his Salop team-mates in parading the pitch and embracing supporters, before being pushed to the front of the group to lead three cheers in front of the safe standing section.
Gray made his first-team debut for Shrewsbury on August 26, coming off the bench in an EFL Trophy tie against Chelsea Under-21s. He also featured against Walsall in the same competition a week later, before making his League Two debut under Cowan at Bristol Rovers, which the Salop boss described as “a really proud moment”.
Prior to that, the youngster had featured heavily in Salop’s 2024/25 pre-season campaign, scoring against Bolton Wanderers.
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