Leeds United A.F.C. Reserves and Youth Team
Encyclopedia
Leeds United Reserves are the reserve team
of Leeds United A.F.C.
. The manager of the reserves is Neil Redfearn
and they currently play at the first team's home ground, Elland Road
. In previous seasons, the reserves have played at York City
's Bootham Crescent and the South Leeds Stadium
. The reserves are generally a mix of recovering or fringe first-team players, young professionals and promising scholars.
Leeds United Under 18s are the youth team of Leeds United A.F.C.
. They play in the Premier Academy League
. The youth team won the competition in the 2002–03 season when the league was split into Under-19s and Under-17s, with Leeds winning the Under-17s competition. Neil Redfearn is the current manager of the Leeds Under 18s. They play at the club's training ground, Thorp Arch
. The youth team also annually compete in the FA Youth Cup
, having won it twice – the first time in 1993, beating Manchester United
4–1 and the second time beating Crystal Palace
3–0 in 1997.
Leeds' concentration on youth since the Ridsdale
era attracted praise at the highest level with the president of FIFA
Sepp Blatter
commenting "Leeds, a club I greatly respect, have to be applauded for its efforts in this regard".
The Leeds United Academy has produced several promising youngsters that have been signed by Premier League clubs in recent years. Michael Woods
, Ben Gordon
and Tom Taiwo
moved to , Danny Rose was snapped up by , Danny Ward
switched to Bolton Wanderers and Luke Garbutt moved to while still in the Leeds United youth team.
Former players that graduated through the Leeds United academy include England internationals Aaron Lennon
, James Milner
, Paul Robinson, Scott Carson
, Alan Smith, Australian international Harry Kewell
and Republic of Ireland internationals Stephen McPhail
and Ian Harte
. England Under-21 internationals Matt Kilgallon and Fabian Delph
also came through the club's ranks.
Graduates in the current Leeds United first team squad include club captain Jonathan Howson
, Andy Keogh
, Ben Parker
, Tom Lees
and Aidan White
.
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
of Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. The manager of the reserves is Neil Redfearn
Neil Redfearn
Neil David Redfearn is an English former footballer and manager who is currently under-18s coach and reserve team manager at Leeds United....
and they currently play at the first team's home ground, Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
. In previous seasons, the reserves have played at York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
's Bootham Crescent and the South Leeds Stadium
John Charles Centre for Sport
The John Charles Centre for Sport is a sports facility in South Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was previously named the South Leeds Stadium and was renamed to honour John Charles , the former Leeds United, Juventus F.C. and Wales footballer...
. The reserves are generally a mix of recovering or fringe first-team players, young professionals and promising scholars.
Leeds United Under 18s are the youth team of Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. They play in the Premier Academy League
Premier Academy League
The Premier Academy League is the top level of youth football in England. It is contested between the Academy sides of The Premier League and some Football League clubs, including Welsh side Cardiff City...
. The youth team won the competition in the 2002–03 season when the league was split into Under-19s and Under-17s, with Leeds winning the Under-17s competition. Neil Redfearn is the current manager of the Leeds Under 18s. They play at the club's training ground, Thorp Arch
Thorp Arch (training ground)
Thorp Arch is the training ground and Academy base of English football club, Leeds United. Located in the village of Thorp Arch, near to the town of Wetherby, the site covers 12.1 hectares. The facility consists of three sections, The Barn, The Grange and the training pitches...
. The youth team also annually compete in the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
, having won it twice – the first time in 1993, beating Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
4–1 and the second time beating Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
3–0 in 1997.
Leeds' concentration on youth since the Ridsdale
Peter Ridsdale
Peter Ridsdale is an English businessman who is currently the Chairman of Football Operations at League Two club Plymouth Argyle. Ridsdale was previously the chairman of Leeds United, Barnsley and Cardiff City.-History:...
era attracted praise at the highest level with the president of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
commenting "Leeds, a club I greatly respect, have to be applauded for its efforts in this regard".
The Leeds United Academy has produced several promising youngsters that have been signed by Premier League clubs in recent years. Michael Woods
Michael Woods (footballer)
Michael James Woods is an English professional footballer who last played for Chelsea F.C. as a midfielder.-Club career:...
, Ben Gordon
Ben Gordon (footballer)
Benjamin Lawrence "Ben" Gordon is an English footballer who currently plays as a defender for Peterborough United on loan from Chelsea.-Career:...
and Tom Taiwo
Tom Taiwo
Thomas James William "Tom" Taiwo is an English footballer who plays for League One club Carlisle United as a midfielder....
moved to , Danny Rose was snapped up by , Danny Ward
Danny Ward (footballer)
Daniel Carl "Danny" Ward is an English footballer who plays for Huddersfield Town, as a forward and winger.-Bolton Wanderers:...
switched to Bolton Wanderers and Luke Garbutt moved to while still in the Leeds United youth team.
Former players that graduated through the Leeds United academy include England internationals Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon
Aaron Justin Lennon is an English footballer who plays as a right winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the England national team.-Early life:...
, James Milner
James Milner
Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11 GCSEs and an award for his performance in physical education. Milner also showed talent in cricket, sprinting and long-distance running...
, Paul Robinson, Scott Carson
Scott Carson
Scott Paul Carson is an English footballer who plays for Bursaspor as a goalkeeper.He joined the Leeds United football academy in 2002, making his full first team debut for Leeds against Manchester United in February 2004...
, Alan Smith, Australian international Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell
Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...
and Republic of Ireland internationals Stephen McPhail
Stephen McPhail
Stephen John Paul McPhail is an Irish footballer who plays for Cardiff City. He has won 10 caps for his country, the Republic of Ireland, and scored one goal...
and Ian Harte
Ian Harte
Ian Patrick Harte is an Irish international footballer who plays for Reading in the Football League Championship. Best known for his spell at Leeds United and also his ability to score goals from long range, including being a free kick specialist...
. England Under-21 internationals Matt Kilgallon and Fabian Delph
Fabian Delph
Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...
also came through the club's ranks.
Graduates in the current Leeds United first team squad include club captain Jonathan Howson
Jonathan Howson
Jonathan Mark "Jonny" Howson is an English footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Football League Championship team Leeds United. A graduate of Leeds' prolific youth system, he serves as club captain....
, Andy Keogh
Andy Keogh
Andrew Declan "Andy" Keogh is a Republic of Ireland International footballer who plays as a striker. He can also play as a winger. He is currently on loan at Championship side Leeds United from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers...
, Ben Parker
Ben Parker (footballer)
Benjamin Brian Colin "Ben" Parker is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United. He is a defender in the left back position though can also play at centre-back who has had loan spells with Bradford City and Darlington...
, Tom Lees
Tom Lees
Thomas James "Tom" Lees is an English professional footballer, who plays as a defender for Leeds United. Lees has undertaken two season-long loan spells at Bury and Accrington Stanley...
and Aidan White
Aidan White (footballer)
Aidan 'Aidy' Peter White is an English-born Irish footballer who plays for Leeds United. He made his debut for the club aged 16...
.
Reserves
League- The Central League (Tier 1)
- Winners (2) 1936-37, 1997–98
- The Central League, Division One East (Tier 2)
- Winners (1) 2008-09, 2009–10
Managers
For a more detailed list of Academy coaching staff, please click here.Academy Directors
| From | To | Name | Notes |
| 1992 | 1997 | Paul Hart Paul Hart Paul Hart is an English football manager and former football defender, who is currently Academy Director at Charlton Athletic. The son of Johnny Hart, a football inside forward and manager, Hart had five-year spells with both Blackpool and Leeds United, while also playing for Nottingham Forest and... |
|
| 1998 | 2000 | Alan Hill | |
| 1999 | 2000 | Steve Beaglehole Steve Beaglehole Steve Beaglehole is an English football coach and is currently at Leicester City. He managed Doncaster Rovers from 1991 to 1993.-Playing career:... |
Assistant |
| 2000 | 2001 | Brian Kidd Brian Kidd Brian Kidd is an English football coach and former player, who is currently Assistant Manager to Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.... |
|
| 2000 | c. Circa Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date... 2001 |
Clive Richards | Assistant |
| 2001 | 2005 | Gary Worthington Gary Worthington Gary Worthington is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. Active in the Football League between 1984 and 1994, Worthington made nearly 200 career appearances, scoring over 50 goals... |
Assistant |
| 2002 | 2004 | Andy Ritchie | |
| 2004 | 2010 | Neil Thompson Neil Thompson Neil Thompson is an English former footballer who played in defence, chiefly on the left side of the pitch, for Scarborough, Ipswich Town and Barnsley amongst others. Thompson subsequently became a football coach and had spells at York City, Scarborough and Boston United as player-manager... |
|
| 2009 | 2010 | Daral Pugh | Assistant |
| 2010 | 2011 | Gwyn Williams Gwyn Williams Gwyn Williams is Leeds United's Technical Director, and he is a former Chelsea FC chief scout who discovered John Terry and helped make a £14m profit on Tore André Flo for the London side.-Chelsea:... |
Acting |
| 2011 | pres. | Chris Sulley Chris Sulley Christopher Stephen Sulley is an English footballer who played as a left back. He played 401 games in the Football League and 7 games in the Scottish Football League... |
Reserves
| From | To | Name | Notes |
| 1948 | 1960 | Willis Edwards Willis Edwards Willis Edwards was an English former professional football player and manager.-Biography:Willis Edwards was born in the mining village of Newton, North East Derbyshire, not far from Chesterfield and Alfreton... |
|
| 1967 | 1975 | Cyril Patridge | |
| 1978 | 1980 | Bryan Edwards Bryan Edwards Bryan Edwards, FRS was an English politician and historian born in Westbury, Wiltshire. Edwards supported the slave trade, and was described by abolitionist William Wilberforce as a powerful opponent.-Life:... |
|
| 1980 | 1991 | Peter Gunby | |
| 1995 | 1997 | David Williams David Williams (Welsh footballer) David Michael Williams is a former professional footballer and football coach. He was a full Welsh international.Williams was a midfield player who began his career with Bristol Rovers, for whom he played between 1975 and 1985... |
|
| 1997 | 1998 | Eddie Gray | |
| 2000 | 2003 | Roy Aitken Roy Aitken Robert Sime "Roy" Aitken is a former footballer who went on to become a coach with clubs including Leeds United and Aston Villa. His position as a player was defence.Born in Irvine, Ayrshire, he grew up in Ardrossan... |
|
| 2003 | 2005 | Steve Agnew Steve Agnew Stephen Mark "Steve" Agnew is a retired English footballer and current first team coach of Middlesbrough.-Club career:... |
|
| 2006 | 2006 | David Geddis David Geddis David Geddis, , is a football coach and scout, a former professional football player and England youth international.-Playing career:... |
|
| 2006 | 2010 | Neil Thompson Neil Thompson Neil Thompson is an English former footballer who played in defence, chiefly on the left side of the pitch, for Scarborough, Ipswich Town and Barnsley amongst others. Thompson subsequently became a football coach and had spells at York City, Scarborough and Boston United as player-manager... |
|
| 2010 | pres. | Neil Redfearn Neil Redfearn Neil David Redfearn is an English former footballer and manager who is currently under-18s coach and reserve team manager at Leeds United.... |
Under 19s & 17s and 18s & 16s
| From | To | Name | Position |
| 2000 | 2004 | Pop Robson | Under 17s Coach (2000–01), Under 19s Coach (2001–04) |
| 2006 | 2007 | Steve Agnew Steve Agnew Stephen Mark "Steve" Agnew is a retired English footballer and current first team coach of Middlesbrough.-Club career:... |
Under 18s Coach |
| 2007 | Paul Beesley Paul Beesley Paul Beesley is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Beesley joined Wigan Athletic in 1984, staying for five years and making over 150 league appearances. He joined Leyton Orient for £175,000 on 20 October 1989... |
Under 18s Coach | |
| 2007 | 2009 | Daral Pugh | Under 16s CoachUnder 18s Coach (2007–09) |
| 2009 | pres. | Neil Redfearn Neil Redfearn Neil David Redfearn is an English former footballer and manager who is currently under-18s coach and reserve team manager at Leeds United.... |
Under 18s Coach |
Current players
Any player whether a professional, a young professional or a scholar is eligible to play for the reserves. Only players under the age of 18 (primarily scholars) are eligible to play for the Under 18s.| Player | DOB | Position | International Caps | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Professionals | |||||
 |
Alex Cairns Alex Cairns Alexander "Alex" Cairns is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United as a goalkeeper.-Club career:Cairns is a product of Leeds' youth academy, he made his first team debut on 2 November as a half time substitute, after second choice goalkeeper Paul Rachubka was substituted at half time... |
4 January 1993 (age 19) | GK | ||
| |
Will Hatfield Will Hatfield William 'Will' Hatfield is an English footballer who plays for Accrington Stanley on loan from Leeds United as a midfielder.-Club career:... |
10 October 1991 (age 20) | CM | ||
| |
Joe McCann | 11 October 1992 (age 19) | ML | Has represented England at Under-17 level | |
| |
Sanchez Payne | 31 January 1993 (age 19) | CM | ||
| |
Charlie Taylor Charlie Taylor (footballer born 1993) Charles James Taylor is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United at left back. He is a current England under-19 international.-Club career:... |
18 September 1993 (age 18) | LB | Has represented England at Under-19 level | Signed until 2014 |
| |
Zac Thompson Zac Thompson Zac Thompson is an English professional footballer who plays for Leeds United and plays as a right back but can also play as a Central Midfielder. He signed for Leeds from Everton in January 2011.-Career:... |
5 January 1993 (age 19) | CM | Signed until 2013 | |
| |
Lewis Turner | 3 September 1992 (age 19) | RM | ||
| |
Nathan Turner | 3 September 1992 (age 19) | RB | ||
| 2nd year scholars | |||||
| |
Dean Bartle | 22 March 1994 (age 17) | CM | ||
| |
Sam Byram | 16 September 1993 (age 18) | RB | ||
| |
Charlie Clamp | 23 May 1994 (age 17) | CM | ||
| |
Ross Killock | 12 July 1994 (age 17) | CB | ||
| |
Simon Lenighan | 13 May 1994 (age 17) | MF | ||
| |
Dominic Poleon | 7 September 1993 (age 18) | FW | Signed from Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
|
| |
Conor Qualter | 31 March 1994 (age 17) | CB | ||
| |
Jordan Snodin | 22 February 1994 (age 17) | CM | ||
| 1st year scholars | |||||
| |
Chris Dawson | 2 September 1994 (age 17) | CM | ||
 |
Monty Gimpel | 16 September 1993 (age 18) | CB | Can also represent England | |
| Eric Grimes | 4 February 1995 (age 17) | GK | Has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-17 level | ||
| |
Alex Mowatt | 13 February 1995 (age 16) | CM | ||
| |
Luke Parkin | 15 August 1995 (age 16) | FW | ||
| |
Lewis Walters | 28 March 1995 (age 16) | FW | ||
| Other academy players | |||||
| |
Dan Atkinson | GK | |||
| |
Luke Booker | ||||
| |
Will Chappell | ||||
| |
Lewis Cook | 3 February 1997 (age 15) | CM | Has represented England at Under-16 level | |
| |
Lewie Coyle | DF | |||
| |
Tyler Denton | 6 September 1995 (age 16) | MF | Has represented England at Under-17 level | |
| |
Brad Dixon | GK | |||
| |
Alex Purver | ||||
| |
Elliott Wilkes | ||||