CHARLIE BRAY: SHARKS DEBUT “ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE”
Your Sharks might have come away from Kingsholm on Saturday on the end of a 43-26 PREM Rugby Cup defeat, but for academy back-rower Charlie Bray it was a day he would never forget.
The lifelong Sharks fan was only called-up to the bench because of a warm-up injury to Sam Dugdale, and he then became Shark #409 when he replaced Jos Gilmore in the second half.
It was the fulfilment of a childhood dream for the Preston-born England U18s captain, who joined the club on a senior academy contract in the summer.
“I went down as a travelling reserve and I did the whole warm-up, holding tackle bags and all of that,” Charlie said. “Then Duggy pulled up just before we came in after the warm-up but I stayed out for the travelling reserve conditioning.
“(Head of Performance) Rick Swaby grabbed me and told me to go in and as I walked in Neil Briggs just said ‘you’re on the bench.’ It was a bit of a shock to the system but it was a great feeling. It’s been a dream ever since I was a kid.
“My dad was gutted he couldn’t be there but pulling on a Sale shirt for the first time was a massive honour.
“I knew the simple calls but there was so much to learn. Duggy was brilliant though. He sat on the bench teaching me and talking me through it. When I got on there was only one lineout so that was probably quite lucky.
“It was probably a bit different to what I expected and there were a lot of nerves but I felt good and I was proud of myself. We didn’t get the result but the boys went well and there will be loads of learnings. Personally, I did my job well and I was happy with how it went.”
Charlie was one of five of the north’s most talented young players to join the Sharks Senior Academy in the summer. He’s the first of the group to make a first team appearance and now he says he wants more.
“Getting a contract here was an amazing feeling but to make the dream into reality and get on the pitch and hear my name announced was surreal,” he said. “It was one of the best moments of my life.
“Alex was really proud of me after the match and told me how much I deserved it. That was a great feeling.
“Being involved in the first team in my first year in the senior academy was a hope and a dream and I didn’t necessarily expect it, but I’m just taking every moment as it comes. If another opportunity comes, I’ll make sure I’m ready. If it takes a while then I’ll keep learning and there’s always a next step.
“Playing in front of a crowd like that is what you dream of as a kid and I want to get back in that shirt as soon as possible.”
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