The teenager was 17 years and 147 days old when he first stepped onto the pitch to play competitive football for the club of his father Andy, grandfather Frank and great uncle Eddie. It marked the continuation of a family tradition, following 17-year-old debuts for Andy and Eddie and Frank’s senior bow at 18. The younger Gray’s debut was long-expected due to his proximity to the first team as a 15-year-old under Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch predicted the youngster would play last season until injuries, illness and a Premier League relegation scrap dictated otherwise. But the dawn of a new era at Leeds, with Daniel Farke in charge, heralded Gray’s arrival proper in men’s football. He made his debut in the first game of the Championship season, a 2-2 Elland Road draw with Cardiff City and has since made himself at home in Farke’s midfield, forming a solid and at times spectacular partnership with Ethan Ampadu.
Gray arguably shone brightest in his last outing, a surprise selection at right-back, in which he nullified a tricky Bristol City winger and coped almost effortlessly with the physical demands of the full-back role in Farke’s system. Boss Daniel Farke was glowing in his praise of the precocious talent after the game, saying: “One thing is you can have an idea but the most important topic is that you have players who bring it on the pitch and for that I think yes, Archie was there with a terrific performance, especially against the ball, but also with the ball. I think he was quite energetic in several situations and to adapt that quick to this position, it says it all about him as a character and about his potential.”
So comfortable has the 17-year-old looked in the second tier that the tenderness of his years has been less of a talking point than it perhaps should. But Gray is far from the youngest to have made a senior debut for Leeds United – in fact there are 20 players who were handed a first team appearance at a younger age, including a number of club legends. Peter Lorimer remains the club's youngest ever player, appearing against Southampton in September 1962 aged just 15 years and 289 days. The list also includes Lorimer’s fellow legends Gary Sprake, Billy Bremner and John Charles. But only 10 men have been handed a debut before their 17th birthday. Here they are.
1. Peter Lorimer
Scotsman Peter Lorimer first played for Leeds at 15 years and 289 days old, making him the club's youngest ever debutant. Don Revie played him in a 1-1 Division Two draw with Southampton. Lorimer went on to become the club's all-time record goalscorer [238] and Leeds' all-time record league goalscorer [168 goals.] The two-time Division One winner passed away in March 2021 aged 74. Photo: Evening Standard
2. Tom Elliott
The striker was 16 years and 86 days old on his debut as a sub in a 2-1 Championship defeat by Norwich City. Dennis Wise was the manager to pick him. A professional contract followed but Elliott made just four appearances for Leeds before departing. He's had spells with Stockport County, Cambridge United, AFC Wimbledon, Millwall and Salford City. He hasn't played since 2022. Photo: Alex Livesey
3. Aaron Lennon
Lennon was 16 years and 129 days old when he made his debut for Peter Reid's Premier League Leeds in August 2003. He made a £1m move to Spurs in 2005 and went on to play 21 times for England. Lennon's Leeds career amounted to 43 games and a single goal. He retired in November 2022. Photo: Bryn Lennon
4. James Milner
Milner was 16 years and 310 days old when he debuted in a 4-3 win over West Ham in the Premier League for Terry Venables. The club's financial issues and relegation saw him sold for £5m to Newcastle United in 2004. He has since won Premier League titles and FA Cups with Man City and Liverpool along with a Champions League title with the latter. He's at Brighton now, aged 37, and has played six times this season. Photo: Alex Livesey
5. Neil Aspin
Aspin made his debut aged 16 years and 314 days old. Allan Clarke was his manager in Division One but once Leeds were relegated his entire time at the club was spent in Division Two. He was a regular for seven seasons before departing for Port Vale. Aspin later went into management and took charge of Harrogate, Halifax, Gateshead and Port Vale. He works for Leeds at Elland Road on matchdays. Photo: Getty Images
6. Aidy White
White made his debut at 16 years and 321 days in a 4-0 League Cup win over Crystal Palace, when Gary McAllister was boss. He went on to play 110 times for Leeds, scoring twice. The left-back later played for Rotherham, Barnsley, Hearts and Rochdale but now, aged 32, is without a club. Photo: David Price