Maccabi football coach Ian Gray dead at 46
Police are treating the death of popular Maccabi NSW Maccabi soccer coach Ian Gray as suspicious.A Maccabi official and a senior Maccabi soccer player went to Gray’s apartment when the coach failed to turn up to coach the under-15 soccer team.
The official told J-Wire: “We were outside his locked door and could hear the television but there was no response to our knocking so we made a forced entry and found him dead.”
The police were called and have issued the following statement……
Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in an apartment at Elizabeth Bay last night.
About 11pm, Monday 15 February, police from Kings Cross Local Area Command were called to an apartment on Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay following reports a man was deceased inside the premises.
A group of the man’s friends attended the apartment about 10:45pm and forced entry into the home after having concerns for the welfare of their 46-year-old friend.
Police have been told the group of friends became concerned for the man after he failed to keep appointments or answer his phone over the weekend.
He was found deceased in the lounge room of the apartment and police were called to the premises.
A crime scene was established with police and specialist forensic officers conducting examinations of the scene.
Detectives from Kings Cross Local Area Command investigating the matter are being assisted by officers from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and are treating the man’s death as suspicious.
A post mortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of his death while a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the man’s death or who has information that could assist with the investigation to contact Kings Cross Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Maccabi’s Mick Vasin also issued a statement. He said: “This is a terrible tragedy for many past and present Maccabi members. Iggy was an incredibly close friend, mentor, coach and great bloke to everyone in our Soccer Clubs and to many outside Football. His passing will be felt by everyone.
Ian Gray Pic: Maccabi Hakoah FC
The President and Executive of Maccabi NSW wish to offer condolences to his family and to acknowledge the great contribution by Iggy over the last 15 years at Maccabi. He will be missed by all.”
A police spokesman told J-Wire this evening: “Investigations are continuing and the death is still being treated as suspicious.”
Career Highlights:
An attacking midfielder, Ian Gray was born in 1963. He began his senior career with A.P.I.A. Leichhardt in 1980 where he played 85 games. Five years later he switched to Marconi, playing for 10 seasons, amassing another 244 games and becoming the club’s second highest player for appearances. Gray won a place in the 1981 Australian Youth team for the World Youth Cup, held in Australia. He made his senior debut as a substitute in the match against China in Beijing in 1984. Gray played in the 1986 World Cup campaign and had a total of 33 matches for Australia with 14A internationals and three goals. Since retiring from active duty, Gray has been involved in coaching. He had a particular soft-spot for Maccabi, where he has coached generations of footballers, and attended many tournaments including the Maccabiah in Israel.
Career Statistics:
Career from 1980 to 1995
Position: Defender
‘A’ Internationals: 14
International Goals Scored: 3
International Debut: 3 Nov 1984 Australia vs. China, Beijing.
Domestic League Games: 329
Domestic Goals Scored: 47
Clubs: Apia Leichardt, Marconi
It’s still hard to fathom that someone who still had so much to offer our great game has left us. I remember Iggy well – particularly during my days at SBS during the 1980’s and 1990’s. He was an inspirational leader at APIA and Marconi-Fairfield and always led by example. I always wondered what might have been if Ian tried his luck overseas. He could always hold his own here against opponents like Robbie Slater, Frank Farina and Graham Arnold who went on to forge successfull careers in Europe. A couple of years ago Iggy invited me to play in a six-a-side tournament in Asia. Work committments didn’t allow me. It’s always been a regret not to have shared some time on a football field with a man who was all class. RIP Iggy. You were one of a kind
It’s still hard to fathom that someone who still had so much to offer our great game has left us. I remember Iggy well – particularly during my days at SBS during the 1980’s and 1990’s. He was an inspirational leader at APIA and Marconi-Fairfield and always led by example. I always wondered what might have been if Ian tried his luck overseas. He could always hold his own here against opponents like Robbie Slater, Frank Farina and Graham Arnold who went on to forge successfull careers in Europe. A couple of years ago Iggy invited me to play in a six-a-side tournament in Asia. Work committments didn’t allow me. It’s always been a regret not to have shared some time on a football field with a man who was all class. RIP Iggy. You were one of a kind.