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Demarai Gray loves showing Jamaican fans appreciation
September 11, 2023
At the end of the Reggae Boyz 1-0 win over Honduras in their League A Concacaf Nation's League Group B match on Friday, Jamaica players retook the pitch to applaud the fans in a show of appreciation for their support.
Although it is customary for English Premier League (EPL) players to applaud supporters at the end of a game, the practice is uncommon in Jamaica.
However, Demarai Gray, who scored the only goal of the game in the 64th minute, revealed that the motivation was from Aston Villa's winger Leon Bailey, who insisted they provided the fans with something extra to cheer about and show their appreciation for their support at full time.
"This is my first game here and I remember Leon saying because Leon is quite vocal in the dressing room, he said to make sure that we go over and show our respect," Gray said at the post-match press conference.
"He said it in the team talk at half time as well. He said the fans came out to watch us and we should give them something to celebrate and we did that," he said.
Gray stated that although it is not something local fans are accustomed to, it should be adopted by Jamaican players because the fans are most important.
"I think it is something we (players) should do naturally any way. When it comes to the fans, we have to always give thanks to them because without them we are half as strong.
"When we play at home we have to give our best and try to make the game entertaining and win games, more importantly," Gray said.
Gray, who leaves the EPL's Everton for Saudi Pro League's Al-Ettifaq, has scored three goals and provided two assists in six games for the Reggae Boyz.
Jamaica will face Haiti in their next Nations League game tomorrow at the National Stadium and Gray expects that they will continue improving and get stronger.
"Jamaica as a team we are going to keep growing. Even when we bring in different players, we want to get stronger," he said.
