Born in Sleaford, Gary started out with Lincoln City's youth team although he failed to progress to the first team. He went to Lincoln United, before he was given a second chance at Lincoln City, signing non-contract forms in August 1986. His stay was short lived however making just seven appearances before returning to Lincoln United. Grantham Town manager Martin O'Neill signed him in the summer of 1987 but in December, he was snapped up by Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough for a £20,000 transfer fee. He made over 150 appearances in seven years at the City Ground and won a League Cup winners medal in 1990 when Forest beat Oldham Athletic at the old Wembley Stadium. He is remembered for an incident in 1990 when he headed the ball out of the Manchester City keeper's hands and rolled the ball into the net.  In August 1993, he went on a one month loan to Grimsby Town, before eventually leaving Forest in the summer of 1994 to join Huddersfield Town.  His stay with the Terriers was interrupted by injury and he was eventually released in May 1997. He joined Diamonds at the start of the 1997/98 season on non-contract forms and made four appearances before being released in September.

After leaving Diamonds, he returned to Lincoln United, before embarking on coaching coarses and joining up with close friend Nigel Clough as assistant manager at Burton Albion in October 1998. After a partnership of over six years, Gary resigned from his position at Burton due to work commitments, although he was persued to return to Burton ahead of the 2006/07 season. Following Nigel Clough's appointment as manager at Derby County, one of his first decisions was to bring Gary in as Head Coach/Assistant Manager.

Appearances

1997/1998