Simon Grayson had some fantastic players at his disposal during his 4 years as Leeds United manager, we look at those who featured in his last ever game.
Don Revie and David O’Leary are the only permanent Leeds United managers with a higher win percentage than Simon Grayson. A former Leeds United youth player, Grayson became the Whites boss in 2008, after 3 successful years at Blackpool.
During his 4 years at Elland Road, Leeds lost a play-off semi-final, won automatic promotion from League One and finished 7th in the Championship. Despite those successes, Ken Bates relieved the former Leicester City man of his duties after a poor start to the 2011/12 seasons, and he was replaced by Neil Warnock.
In his time at Leeds, Grayson had the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Jonny Howson, Fabian Delph, Robert Snodgrass, Max Gradel, Ross McCormack and many more fine talents at his disposal, as well as loan stars such as Jake Livermore and Andros Townsend. Four years on from his departure, we take a look at Grayson’s last starting XI as the Leeds United manager, and where they are now.
Simon Grayson’s last match as Leeds United manager was a 4-1 defeat to Birmingham City
Andy Lonergan
Andy Lonergan was handed the tough task of replacing Kasper Schmeichel at Leeds United after joining the club from Preston North End. For the most part he did a very capable job, although Grayson’s last game at the helm was one to forget for Lonergan, as the Whites shipped 4 goals, including a 7 minute hat-trick from Nikola Zigic.
Despite impressing during his first season, when Grayson was replaced by Neil Warnock, the experienced boss brought in his favourite shot stopper, Paddy Kenny. Now aged 33, Lonergan has since played for Bolton and Fulham, and is currently backup at Wolves.
Tom Lees
Former England under-21 international Tom Lees came through the Leeds United academy, and played 123 league games for the first team. Error prone at times whilst at Elland Road, the centre-back left Leeds for Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer in 2014. He has impressed at Hillsborough, and is now a regular for the Owls.
Aidy White
Pacy left-back Aidy White was another product of Leeds’ youth setup, and he became a popular figure at Elland Road, making more than 100 appearances. He has since played for two Yorkshire clubs, Rotherham and Barnsley, and is currently an important player for the latter.
Zac Thompson
Zac Thompson and Tom Lees in action for Leeds United against Arsenal
Completing a trio of Leeds United graduates in the Whites defence for Grayson’s final game in charge is the versatile Zac Thompson. Unlike the aforementioned duo, who now play for fellow Championship club’s, Thompson is without a club, having most recently played for non-league Guiseley.
Darren O’Dea
Republic of Ireland international Darren O’Dea was the other man to feature in the fragile Leeds defence that was helpless to contain a rampant Birmingham attack. O’Dea has become something of a globetrotter since his loan spell at Leeds, and following spells in Canada, Ukraine and India, O’Dea is now back in Scotland, starring for Dundee.
Adam Clayton
Adam Clayton was a good servant to Leeds United during his 2 years at the club, but he has become a better player than most expected, going from strength to strength since leaving to join Huddersfield for £350,000 back in 2012.
The Terriers sold Clayton to Middlesbrough in 2014 for a fee believed to be £1.5 million, and Clayton is now a regular in the Boro midfield in the Premier League.
Andros Townsend
Another player who certainly didn’t play his best football in a Leeds United shirt is Andros Townsend. The winger made 7 appearances for the Whites, but didn’t show the kind of form which suggested he was a future England international. Townsend joined Crystal Palace from Newcastle United in the summer.
Fabian Delph
Jermaine Beckford, Fabian Delph and Robert Snodgrass celebrate at Leeds
Arguably the Leeds United player who has had the most impressive career since leaving Elland Road from this XI, despite now being a benchwarmer at Manchester City. Delph broke into the Leeds first team at 18, and was always touted for greatness.
Leeds fans were treated to just over 50 appearances from the youngster, before he made an £8 million move to Aston Villa. Delph went on to become Villa captain and an England international, before joining Manchester City.
Robert Snodgrass
Leeds United’s 2012 Player of the Year, which was his last year at the club, Robert Snodgrass was a bargain buy from Livingston, who went on to become a fans favourite at Elland Road. The Scottish international who has a wicked left foot and ability from set pieces spent 4 years at Leeds.
In that time, he scored 41 goals in 193 games, before being sold for a reported £2.7 million to Norwich City. Snodgrass went on to join Yorkshire rivals Hull City for more than £6 million in 2014, and he has enjoyed a good start to the Premier League season this year.
Luciano Becchio
Luciano Becchio was a real menace for defenders during his days at Leeds United, and formed an excellent strike partnership with Jermaine Beckford. He scored a total of 86 goals in 221 games for the Whites, before joining Norwich City.
It never really happened for Becchio in Norfolk, or since leaving Leeds in general. Since his Elland Road departure in 2013, Becchio has scored just 3 goals in as many years. Now aged 32, he is currently a free agent, having most recently played for Rotherham United.
Ross McCormack
A prolific goal scorer at Championship level, Ross McCormack scored 58 goals in 154 games for Leeds United. Signed for £350,000 and sold for £10 million, it’s fair to say Leeds made an impressive profit on the Scotsman, although many supporters would rather they hung on to their top talents regardless of profit.
McCormack scored 42 goals in 100 games for Fulham after leaving Leeds, and the 30-year-old made a whopping £12 million move to Aston Villa in the summer.
Which player from Grayson’s last starting XI do you miss the most at Leeds United?
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