Daniel Leadbitter
Encyclopedia
Daniel Leadbitter is an English
professional footballer currently playing for Football League Two
club Torquay United
. He can operate as a right-back
or centre-half. Leadbitter spent his youth career at Newcastle United
but left for Torquay in 2011 without having made a first-team appearance. Since moving to Torquay he has been troubled by injury and has been limited to substitute appearances.
, signing a contract in July 2007. He made his debut for the Newcastle Acamdemy U18s against Middlesbrough
in March 2007, scoring his first goal for the academy against Leeds in October.
He went on to play for Newcastle's reserve side after graduating from the club's Little Benton Academy, playing for the reserves in the Barclays Premier Reserve League until 2011 and also featuring in the Northumberland Senior Cup
, where he scored in the 4-2 quarter-final win over Newcastle Benfield on 1 December 2009. However, he was released in June 2011 having spent four years at the club without making a first-team appearance. On 26 April 2011 Leadbitter had a trial for Lincoln City
, playing for their reserves in a 3–0 win over Gateshead
reserves. He was also in the Lincoln reserves squad against Scunthorpe United
reserves on 3 May 2011.
manager Martin Ling
became aware of Leadbitter after watching him playing for Newcastle's Reserves whilst scouting for Hibernian
and Walsall
. Upon his release from Newcastle, Ling signed him on a two-year contract on 28 June 2011, along with Chris McPhee, who was signed from Kidderminster Harriers
at the same time. Ling had told Scottish club Hibernian to "keep an eye" on Leadbitter, and claimed the player had had offers from Scotland after leaving Newcastle United.
Leadbitter made his Torquay United debut in the pre-season friendly win over Tiverton Town
on 14 July 2011. Leadbitter's league debut for Torquay was delayed due to a hamstring injury and he missed Torquay's 2–2 draw with Burton Albion
on the opening day of the 2011–12 season. The defender was expected to be fit for the second league game of the season against Bristol Rovers, but a relapse to the injury meant he failed to feature in the game. Leadbitter finally made his debut for Torquay on 8 October 2011 at the Valley Parade
in the Gulls' 1–0 loss to Bradford City. He came on as a half-time substitute for fellow right-back Joe Oastler
and later said that the debut "was great", although he felt it was "overdue" as he had had to wait until the age of 21. Leadbitter made his second United appearance in a 4-0 win over AFC Wimbledon
on 25 October 2011, but was denied a place in the squad in the following game against Hereford United
on 29 October due to a recurrence of his injury.
prior to playing for hometown club Newcastle United
. At school, he excelled at athletics, reaching the finals of the 400m event at the English Schools Championships. Daniel also has a sister, who is younger than him.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer currently playing for Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. He can operate as a right-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or centre-half. Leadbitter spent his youth career at Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
but left for Torquay in 2011 without having made a first-team appearance. Since moving to Torquay he has been troubled by injury and has been limited to substitute appearances.
Newcastle United
Leadbitter began his career with his hometown club, Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, signing a contract in July 2007. He made his debut for the Newcastle Acamdemy U18s against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in March 2007, scoring his first goal for the academy against Leeds in October.
He went on to play for Newcastle's reserve side after graduating from the club's Little Benton Academy, playing for the reserves in the Barclays Premier Reserve League until 2011 and also featuring in the Northumberland Senior Cup
Northumberland Senior Cup
The Northumberland Senior Cup is an annual football competition held between the clubs of the Northumberland Football Association which was first played in 1884. It is the senior county cup for the footballing county of Northumberland, which includes Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, and...
, where he scored in the 4-2 quarter-final win over Newcastle Benfield on 1 December 2009. However, he was released in June 2011 having spent four years at the club without making a first-team appearance. On 26 April 2011 Leadbitter had a trial for Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, playing for their reserves in a 3–0 win over Gateshead
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
reserves. He was also in the Lincoln reserves squad against Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
reserves on 3 May 2011.
Torquay United
Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
manager Martin Ling
Martin Ling
Martin Ling is an English football manager and former player, who is currently manager of Torquay United in League Two. He played in over 100 Football League matches for Exeter City, Southend United, Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, before moving into management where he led Orient for over five...
became aware of Leadbitter after watching him playing for Newcastle's Reserves whilst scouting for Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. Upon his release from Newcastle, Ling signed him on a two-year contract on 28 June 2011, along with Chris McPhee, who was signed from Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
at the same time. Ling had told Scottish club Hibernian to "keep an eye" on Leadbitter, and claimed the player had had offers from Scotland after leaving Newcastle United.
Leadbitter made his Torquay United debut in the pre-season friendly win over Tiverton Town
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
on 14 July 2011. Leadbitter's league debut for Torquay was delayed due to a hamstring injury and he missed Torquay's 2–2 draw with Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
on the opening day of the 2011–12 season. The defender was expected to be fit for the second league game of the season against Bristol Rovers, but a relapse to the injury meant he failed to feature in the game. Leadbitter finally made his debut for Torquay on 8 October 2011 at the Valley Parade
Valley Parade
Valley Parade, also known as the Coral Windows Stadium through sponsorship rights, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1886, and was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association...
in the Gulls' 1–0 loss to Bradford City. He came on as a half-time substitute for fellow right-back Joe Oastler
Joe Oastler
Joseph James "Joe" Oastler is an English footballer who currently plays for Torquay United of Football League Two.-Playing career:...
and later said that the debut "was great", although he felt it was "overdue" as he had had to wait until the age of 21. Leadbitter made his second United appearance in a 4-0 win over AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
on 25 October 2011, but was denied a place in the squad in the following game against Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
on 29 October due to a recurrence of his injury.
Personal life
Leadbitter attended Gosforth High SchoolGosforth High School
Gosforth Academy is an English secondary school in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. As well as having a sixth form department it is a specialist Language College...
prior to playing for hometown club Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. At school, he excelled at athletics, reaching the finals of the 400m event at the English Schools Championships. Daniel also has a sister, who is younger than him.