Gale reveals influence on Crystal Palace signing Imray | OneFootball

Former Crystal Palace defender Tony Gale has revealed his influence on one signing made earlier this year.

Gale's experience at Palace has stuck with him and lingers to this day, prompting him to recommend the club to promising youngsters.

“I've still got a link with Palace because they've just signed one of the boys I mentor: my pal's son Danny Imray [signed in February 2021 from Chelmsford City]," Gale told Palace's website. “Danny is 17 years of age and is going to be a top player. So his Dad asked me to mentor him in his football career.

“I've known little Danny since he was 12. His Dad said to me: 'What should he do?' I said: 'Tell him to play non-league, and if he plays to a good standard, he'll get noticed.' He was in the Chelmsford team at 16 and all the professional clubs got interested in him.

“He had a few clubs to go to but it was me who persuaded him to go to Crystal Palace simply because of the likes of Dougie [Freedman], Roy and Ray.

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“The way Palace bring through raw talent, it was the best place to go."