Son of Preston North End great has started coaching at the club
He is coaching in the PNE academy.
Joe Grayson, the son of former Preston North End manager Simon Grayson, has revealed he has started coaching at the club.
The 27-year-old followed in the path set out for him by his father by becoming a professional footballer, making over 125 senior appearances for Blackburn Rovers - whose academy he came through - as well as Grimsby Town, Oxford United, Barrow, Dundee and Gateshead.
Grayson, a defender, signed for non-league side Gateshead in 2023 and achieved a special victory at Wembley by helping the club defeat Solihull Moors in the FA Trophy final in 2024.
He signed for Workington AFC on ‘non-contract forms’ in August and even grabbed a goal in an FA Cup defeat to Bury in September, but has been making the transition into coaching.
Earlier this year, Grayson, a UEFA qualified coach, launched his own coaching business - @jg_footballcoaching on Instagram - and recently revealed on social media that he had begun training within Preston’s academy in September.
In a post on Instagram, he wrote: “Delighted to have started coaching within Preston North End’s academy.
“It’s a great first step into coaching at such a professional club and I have loved my first couple of months! Brilliant group of staff to learn from and gain experience!”
On LinkedIn, he added: “Brilliant first step into the coaching world. Loved my first month working with fellow staff members and all the kids. Always looking to learn and progress while currently doing my UEFA B license!”
Grayson received plenty of praises and congratulations in the replies on his posts, most notably from his father.
Simon Grayson, who managed Preston for 235 games, served as assistant manager to John Herdman for the Indonesia national team earlier this year and launched his own football academy in October, commented on the Instagram post by writing: “@joegrayson_ maybe follow in my footsteps one day @pnefcofficial.”
He added, accompanied with a prayer emoji: “Keep up all the good and hard work and you will get to where you want to.”