The Leeds United under 18’s have had a wonderful season in their section, taking home the league title today in a crunch match. A win would secure them the title but a Bolton win would mean the hosts took the title away from Leeds, a first-half header from the “Bulgarian Bomber” Kun Temenuzhkov wrapped the game up, a 0-1 victory for the youngsters.
The under 18’s, led by last seasons signing Ryan Edmondson have set the pace along with Bolton this season and secured a brilliant title with the win today. Edmondson has been the key player but others have also caught the eye, Robbie Gotts, Bobby Kamwa and Kun have also lit the league up at times. The route into the under 23’s is there to see, Edmondson and Kun have both stepped up at times as the likes of Tom Pearce, Paudie O’Connor and Baily Peacock-Farrell all make passages into the first-team. some will be stepping up to the 23’s on a full-time basis and they deserve it, a clear pathway to the first-team back at Leeds United through the academy.
Where Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta have failed miserably with the first-team this season they have done a very good job of revamping the academy and that has shown in the performances and results of the under 18’s and under 23’s. Players from all over Europe have arrived as well as local lads and other English talent and they have all flourished as the season has gone on. The title today is a great achievement for the youngsters who are hopefully looking at what has happened since Paul Heckingbottom came into the club and realising that if they really knuckle down the first-team isn’t a million miles away.