 He followed Bromsgrove manager Bobby Hope to Burton Albion in 1988, from where he and Steve Cotterill joined Wimbledon in February 1989.In November 1990, after only 20 league games and 2 goals for Wimbledon and following an alleged training ground bust-up with Keith Curle, Gayle moved to Birmingham City for £175,000, helping the Blues to promotion in 1992.He played for Birmingham City against Tranmere Rovers in the 1991 Associate Members' Cup Final at Wembley scoring twice in their 3–2 victory with the winning goal scored from a spectacular overhead kick.