Gailey boxed as a middleweight and won the Auckland Intermediate Middleweight title in the 1960s. He was a member of the Auckland Boxing Association until 1991.[5]
Gailey returned to Manukau as player-coach for the 1976 season and in 1979 led them to a Roope Rooster victory. He was also recalled to the Auckland side that year.[6] In 1978 he was captain-coach of the Wanderers RLFC in the Bundaberg competition in Queensland.
A noted toughman, Gailey had laid out Jimmy Thompson during his last test series against the Great Britain Lions in 1974. When he played the Lions five years later for Auckland, Gailey had a target on his back.[4] This resulted in an all in brawl sparked by Gailey and Mel James.