Leeds United's Berlin trip underlines Heskey may not be the only household name emerging from clash — Leeds Live 11/5/24
Leeds United's under-18s lost 4-0 to Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final at Etihad Stadium on Friday night and Rob Etherington has said household names will be just as likely found in the losing team as the winners
By Beren Cross
Heskey is a household name in English football and while it
made the headlines again against Leeds United on Friday night, there were 11
names in pink that could yet earn the same status. Manchester City, fronted by
Jaden Heskey, Emile’s son, lifted the FA Youth Cup on Friday night at Etihad
Stadium with a 4-0 win over the Whites.
Grant was another well-known name in the home ranks. True,
their goalkeeper, is the son of former Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley stopper
Lee. In a team as well-funded, scouted and recruited as City’s under-18s, there
is certain to be several players who go on to play at the highest level.
Leeds under-18 boss Rob Etherington does not want a one-off
defeat in the final to suggest there will not be some big names of the future
currently plying their trade with the Whites. Those names will fly out to
Berlin next week after they were invited to Germany for a tournament after
their FA Youth Cup success this season.
“Well, you might look back in a few years and see some
household names that have been wearing Leeds United shirts, so definitely don't
rule that out, given the result,” he said. “We've not made it this far in 27
years, but we've always produced players.
“The message stays exactly the same. We play our way, we
develop players our way, that objective has never changed. It's to produce
players to play for the first team, to help players be the best they can be.
“The messaging in the days after stays the same. We’re
flying out to Berlin next week. We’ve been invited to a tournament with the
under-18s. That’s off the back of the success they’ve had.
“The connection they've made with everybody spectating, so
that's something to be really proud of. Again, it's something to look forward
to. Then they'll have a bit of a rest and then they'll come back because the
journey’s never been about winning the Youth Cup, the journey’s been helping
them be the best they can be.”
After the defeat, Etherington made a point of gathering all
the players and staff together in one of the corners surrounded by away fans at
Etihad Stadium. The huddle was enormous and important for the head coach to
make a final address to everyone after a journey which took to them to within
90 minutes of a first FA Youth Cup in 27 years at Elland Road.
“We've been together all the way through the journey we
started together, we end together,” he said. “There's nothing that could have
happened that would have stopped that because we’re Leeds United and it’s what
makes us us, that togetherness.
“Leaving everything out on the pitch, representing all the
fans who have come is absolutely fantastic. The journey has been more about
football. It's more about winning the competition.
