
Gary rose to prominence in Richard Money’s exciting City youth team in 1999 and was a regular scorer in the side which reached the final of the FA Youth Cup that year. In the semi-final he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle at St James’ Park. When he made his debut as a substitute at Villa Park in February 1999 at the age of 16 years 198 days he was the youngest Premiership player at that time and the youngest Coventry City player even though he was on the pitch for one minute and didn’t touch the ball. Since then Aaron Lennon and Ben Mackey have taken the records from him.
Gary made only a handful of appearances over the next three seasons but did score a stunning first league goal as a substitute at Crystal Palace in early 2002. Under Gary McAllister the slight striker got more opportunities and scored a hat-trick in the 8-0 League Cup thrashing of Rushden & Diamonds in October 2002. In 2003 he was deemed to be surplus to requirements and made available for transfer. With no takers he was forced, along with several other ‘unwanted’ players to train in Memorial Park and later had a successful loan to Luton Town. In January 2004 new boss Eric Black recalled him and he was a virtual ever-present netting 11 goals in an exciting team. Under Peter Reid Gary was back in the cold again but after another good loan spell at Luton came back into the City side and hit double figures with a good second half of the season. 2005-06 was his best season for the Sky Blues and he netted 17 goals from his wide left position. A big move was always on the cards and after a protracted negotiation Gary signed for Birmingham in August 2006 for a fee reported to be worth £4 million eventually. In his first season at St Andrews he helped Blues to promotion to the Premiership with 16 league and cup goals but his scoring form deserted him in the Premiership and he managed only three goals.
Penalties (25 - 18 scored)
2003-04
17 January 2004 v Walsall A, missed (hit post)
2 March 2004 v Cardiff City A, scored
13 March 2004 v Burnley H, scored
10 April 2004 v Millwall H, scored
24 April 2004 v Rotherham United H, saved
2004-05
15 January 2005 v Ipswich Town A, scored
23 February 2005 v Wigan Athletic H, scored
26 February 2005 v Stoke City H, saved
2 April 2005 v Brighton & Hove Albion H, scored
6 April 2005 v Nottingham Forest H, scored
16 April 2005 v Wolverhampton Wanderers H, scored
30 April 2005 v Derby County H, scored
2005-06
1 October 2005 v Sheffield Wednesday A, scored
19 December 2005 v Queens Park Rangers A, scored
26 December 2005 v Leeds United A, missed - over the bar
21 January 2006 v Derby County H, scored
2011-12
14 February 2012 v Leeds United H, scored x2
21 March 2012 v Cardiff City A, missed - over the bar
7 April 2012 v Peterborough United H, scored
17 April 2012 v Millwall H, missed (saved)
2012-13
4 September 2012 v Burton Albion H, shootout - scored
1 December 2012 v Morecambe H, scored
4 December 2012 v Sheffield United H, shootout - scored
23 March 2013 v Portsmouth A, missed (saved)
Free kick goals (2)
2003-04
3 January 2004 v Peterborough United H
2005-06
8 April 2006 v Wolverhmapton Wanderers A
Hat tricks (1)
2002-03
2 October 2002 v Rushden & Diamonds H
Red Cards (1)
2002-03
8 March 2003 v Wimbledon H, two bookings




















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































England U20, 6 caps
2001-02
22 November 2001 England U20 v Portugal U20, Southampton, friendly, 1-0, substitute
10 April 2002 Portugal U20 v England U20, Amadora, friendly, 0-2, replaced
6 May 2002 England U20 v China U20, Toulon, Toulon Tournament 2002, 0-0, replaced
12 May 2002 England U20 v Portugal U20, Toulon, Toulon Tournament 2002, 1-0, replaced
14 May 2002 England U20 v Brazil U20, Frejus, Toulon Tournament 2002, 0-0, substitute
17 May 2002 England U20 v Japan U20, Toulon, Toulon Tournament 2002 3rd Place game, 0-0, 4-5 on pens, substitute, scored in shootout