Geoff Gay - Player Profile

GEOFF GAY (Midfield).

Geoffrey Gay (born 4 February 1957) played in the English Football League for Exeter City, Southport and Wigan. He was born in Romford in Essex before moving to Winsford in the North-West of England.

Gay turned professional with Bolton Wanderers in June 1975, having spent two years with as an apprentice. He joined Exeter City on loan in March 1977. On his debut for Exeter, away to Crewe, Gay took over in goal after the Exeter City keeper, Richard Key, broke his ankle.  Geoff was unable to keep a clean sheet with Exeter falling to a 2-0 defeat, but the season was a success for the Devon club with promotion to Division Three being achieved as they finished runners-up.

Geoff made a total of six appearances for Exeter, one of these being off the bench. On his return to Bolton at the end of the season he was released. Geoff then signed for Southport in August 1977. He played 40 times in Southport's final season in the Football League as they failed to gain re-election at the end of the season.

In July 1978, Gay joined Latics as Ian McNeill sought to add League experience to the club as they set about preparing for their first season as a League club. He played just once, in Wigan's first ever home game in the Football league, against Grimsby Town.

He left Wigan later that year, joining non-league Macclesfield Town. This was followed by short spells with Bangor City and Crewe Alexandra before returning to Macclesfield Town in 1979. In December 1982, while playing for Macclesfield against Witton Albion, Gay broke his leg in three places and required the insertion of a metal plate. He recovered and went on to represent, Mossley, Droylsden, Chorley, Macclesfield, and Horwich RMI before hanging up his boots.  

Away from football, Gay became a civil servant and worked for the Employment Department.