Cumberland United Soccer Club signs ex-Doncaster Rovers striker Brad Grayson

THE last time Cumberland United recruit Brad Grayson played outside the UK he was cold, struggled with the language barrier and became homesick.

THE last time Cumberland United Soccer Club recruit Brad Grayson played outside the UK he was cold, struggled with the language barrier and became homesick.

Grayson, 21, lined up for Ange IF, a club based in a small, northern Swedish village of less than 2500 people, in the middle of last year.

The side went on to win the country’s third-division title but the striker could not wait to leave.

“I arrived in April and it was all snow, up to your knees,” Grayson says.

“The lifestyle was a bit awful.

“There was nothing to do, we were in a little village ... and we just played football, nothing else.”

It took Grayson, who played juniors at English lower-league clubs Doncaster Rovers and Scunthorpe United, just a few days to be convinced Adelaide and Cumberland would be different.

He had been put in touch with Foxes coach Michael Brooks before Christmas and arrived during the middle of SA’s January heatwave.

“I got a bit homesick in Sweden but people here have made me feel welcome and the language barrier is obviously completely different.

“The weather absolutely killed me in the first couple of (trial) games ... but I’m getting used to it.

“I’d always wanted to come to Australia because I wanted a new experience.

“I’m enjoying it.”

Grayson played one first-team match for Doncaster in the League Cup in August 2010 and was in Rovers’ squad for several Championship games, but he was released at the end of the 2010/11 season.

Stints at lower league clubs Frickley Athletic and Matlock Town followed.

Now Grayson is determined to lead the Foxes, who were SA Premier League semi-finalists last season, into the playoffs.

“Playing that (League Cup) game was one of the best experiences of my life.

“After this season I’ll go back to the UK and visit family but after that, the way it’s going, I’d like to come back next season with Cumberland.”