Leeds United are right to be extremely proud of the academy set up they have developed at Thorp Arch. The Whites have invested heavily in their youth pathway and Monday night’s success for the Under-21s was just the latest example of such a strategy paying dividends.
Paco Gallardo’s side have enjoyed a season to remember in Premier League 2 Division 2, topping the division for much of the campaign before turning in a performance that was beyond dominant against Nottingham Forest in the play-off final. That 3-0 win was enough to seal promotion back to the top flight of English youth football at the first time of asking and achieve the target the youth side set themselves at the start of the season.
More than 12,000 fans attended the game at Elland Road and many stuck around to watch the U21s squad lift the play-off winners’ shield and douse themselves in alcohol-free champagne. It was a moment those who have been involved heavily in youth set-up this season will cherish for the rest of their careers, a reward for all their hard work.
