ɡˈɜːni wʌz bˈɔːɹn ɪn bɹˈɪstəl, ˈɪŋɡlənd, ænd bɪɡˈæn hɪz kɚɹˈɪɹ æz ɐn ɐpɹˈɛntɪs wɪð hɪz hˈoʊmtaʊn klˈʌb bɹˈɪstəl ɹˈoʊvɚz, tˈɜːnɪŋ pɹəfˈɛʃənəl ɪn dʒuːlˈaɪ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti tˈuː.
Gurney was born in Bristol, England, and began his career as an apprentice with his hometown club Bristol Rovers, turning professional in July 1992.