Grant Leadbitter
FullnameGrant Leadbitter[1]
Birth date7 January 1986 (age 40)[2]
Birth placeChester-le-Street, England
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
PositionMidfielder
Youthyears 12002–2003
Youthclubs 1Sunderland
Years 12003–2009
Years 22005
Years 32009–2012
Years 42012–2019
Years 52019–2021
Clubs 1Sunderland
Clubs 2→ Rotherham United (loan)
Clubs 3Ipswich Town
Clubs 4Middlesbrough
Clubs 5Sunderland
Caps 1111
Goals 111
Caps 25
Goals 21
Caps 3116
Goals 313
Caps 4212
Goals 428
Caps 569
Goals 57
Totalcaps513
Totalgoals60
Nationalyears 12001–2002
Nationalyears 22002–2003
Nationalyears 32004–2005
Nationalyears 42005
Nationalyears 52007–2008
Nationalteam 1England U16
Nationalteam 2England U17
Nationalteam 3England U19
Nationalteam 4England U20
Nationalteam 5England U21
Nationalcaps 110
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalcaps 29
Nationalgoals 20
Nationalcaps 311
Nationalgoals 30
Nationalcaps 41
Nationalgoals 40
Nationalcaps 53
Nationalgoals 50
Club-update9 May 2021

Grant Leadbitter (born 7 January 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made more than 500 appearances in the Premier League and Football League, which included 212 for Middlesbrough, 180 for Sunderland and 116 for Ipswich Town. Leadbitter retired at the end of the 2021 season, having won the EFL Trophy in his final season with Sunderland.

Leadbitter played for Sunderland from 2003 until 2009 after rising as a product from the team's Youth Academy before signing for Ipswich Town. He spent seven seasons with Middlesbrough before finishing his career with Sunderland. In 2007 Leadbitter received a call-up for England U21, and featured for them three times.

Leadbitter spent the 2021/2022 season gaining his UEFA A License.[3] Since October 2022, he has been part of the first-team coaching staff at Middlesbrough.

Early life

Leadbitter was born in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.[4] He grew up in Fence Houses as a Sunderland fan, and joined the Sunderland youth academy at the age of 16. He progressed through the ranks and represented England at the U19 level in 2002, scoring against Brazil to help England finish in the top four in the league tournament.

Club career

Sunderland

Leadbitter's first professional appearance for Sunderland came as a substitute in a League Cup defeat against Huddersfield Town in September 2003. Before obtaining a regular first-team place at the club, he was loaned to Rotherham United in September 2005, where he scored once against Swansea[5] in five league games. After his loan stay in Hibernian, he began to be selected regularly by then manager Mick McCarthy, and played in 11 of Sunderland's final 14 matches of the season.[6]

After Sunderland's relegation in 2006, Leadbitter stalled on contract talks, with many predicting he was aiming to attract the attention of a Premier League club after his impressive displays during the previous season. However, a contract was subsequently agreed with the player claiming he only ever wanted to stay with Sunderland and, henceforth, Leadbitter played an important role in the Black Cats' revival under the management of Roy Keane. Leadbitter took part in every one of Sunderland's games in the 2006–07 season and contributed seven goals,[7] ranking as the club's third top scorer of that season. On Sunderland's return to the Premier League, Leadbitter continued to feature regularly with Keane, even making comparisons with Paul Scholes (he allegedly wears the number 18 shirt in honour of his hero Scholes). In June 2008 Leadbitter signed a new contract with Sunderland, keeping him at the club until 2011.[8]

On 4 October 2008, Leadbitter scored a memorable goal against Arsenal after just coming off the bench. The 25-yard goal was celebrated in emotional style, as he ran over to his manager and had his head on the floor, nearly in tears. This emotional celebration was because his father, Brian Leadbitter, had died just weeks beforehand and his ashes had been buried right on that spot under the grass on the Stadium of Light.[6] "People close to me know why I went down on the floor like I did, I just want to leave it at that. The people who know me know why I kissed that area of the ground. My dad's ashes were buried there. I don't want to go on about it. It just means a lot to me and my family. It's exactly that spot and it was always my intention to do something like that when I scored my first goal here." Leadbitter said to the press after the match.

Ipswich Town

On 1 September 2009, Leadbitter transferred to Championship club Ipswich Town for a fee of £2.6 million, along with team-mate Carlos Edwards.[9] He made his first-appearance on 12 September, starting in a 3–1 loss to Middlesbrough. He scored his first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest on 15 September, netting the opening goal in a 1–1 draw. Leadbitter became a first-team regular during his first season at Portman Road, making 40 appearances in all competitions and scoring 3 goals.[10]

He continued to feature as a regular in the first-team during the 2010–11 season. He scored his first goal of the season on 21 August in a 2–1 away win over Crystal Palace. He made 50 appearances over the course of the season, scoring 6 goals, including a brace in a 3–3 home draw with Middlesbrough at Portman Road.[11]

Leadbitter was named club captain for the 2011–12 season,[12] following the departure of David Norris. On 10 March, he scored a brace as Ipswich came from behind to draw 2–2 with Hull City. Following a spell on the sidelines due to injury, Ipswich manager Paul Jewell gave the captain's armband to Carlos Edwards, who remained as the captain for the remainder of the season.[13] He made 36 appearances during the 2011–12 season, scoring 5 goals.[14]

Middlesbrough

On 29 May 2012, it was announced that Leadbitter had signed a three-year contract with Championship club Middlesbrough, on a free transfer, following the expiry of his contract at Ipswich Town.[15] Leadbitter scored on his debut in a 7–3 pre-season friendly win against Falkirk. He scored his first league goal on 30 November 2012 in a 2–3 away defeat against Birmingham City.[16] Leadbitter scored twice as Boro lost 3–2 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2013. After a string of consistent performances throughout the 2012–13 season, Leadbitter was awarded Middlesbrough's player of the season in his first season at the club.[6] Leadbitter scored his fourth goal for Middlesbrough on 25 August 2013 at Wigan. On 21 September 2013, he scored Boro's final goal in a 3–3 draw at home to Bournemouth. On 19 December 2014 Leadbitter agreed a 3-year contract extension with the club. Leadbitter's commanding performances and selection of spectacular goals lead to him being named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year.[17]

On 7 May 2016, Leadbitter won promotion to the Premier League with Middlesbrough after a 1–1 draw at home against Brighton & Hove Albion.[18]

Return to Sunderland

Leadbitter re-signed for Sunderland on a free transfer in January 2019.[19] He was named captain at the start of the 2019–20 season.[20] In February 2020, he was given an extended leave of absence from the club for personal reasons,[21] returning for pre-season in July.[6] On 25 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Sunderland at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.[22] On 14 September 2021 Leadbitter announced his retirement from football, most notably winning the EFL Trophy with the club in his final season.[23]

International career

Leadbitter came on as a late substitute replacing Gabriel Agbonlahor, in a 2–0 win in England Under 21s 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification group, against Bulgaria.[24] He featured again for England U21 on 25 March 2008 and made his final appearance in a 0–0 draw against Poland U21, not being picked after that and turning 23 soon after.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sunderland2003–04[25]First Division0000100010
2004–05[26]Championship000010—10
2005–06[27]Premier League1200000—120
2006–07[28]Championship4471010—467
2007–08[29]Premier League3121010—332
2008–09[30]Premier League2322030—282
2009–10[10]Premier League10—10—20
Total111114080—12311
Rotherham United (loan)2005–06[27]League One5110—1[a]071
Ipswich Town2009–10[10]Championship38320——403
2010–11[11]Championship4450061—506
2011–12[14]Championship3451010—365
Total116133071—12614
Middlesbrough2012–13[31]Championship4232031—474
2013–14[32]Championship3961010—416
2014–15[33]Championship431130213[b]05112
2015–16[34]Championship4140050—464
2016–17[35]Premier League1314200—173
2017–18[36]Championship3231010—343
2018–19[37]Championship201050—80
Total212281221723024432
Sunderland2018–19[37]League One150——4[c]0190
2019–20[38]League One14010203[d]0200
2020–21[39]League One40700008[e]0487
Total6971020150877
Sunderland Total180185010015021018
Career total5136021234317058665
  1. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
  3. ^ Two appearances in EFL Trophy, two in League One play-offs
  4. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  5. ^ Six appearances in EFL Trophy, two in League One play-offs

Honours

Sunderland

Middlesbrough

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Middlesbrough". English Football League. p. 23. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  2. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (ed.) (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 247. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. ^ "Grant Leadbitter". Middlesbrough FC. 2023-12-25.
  4. ^
  5. ^ "Rotherham 2–2 Swansea". BBC Sport. 22 October 2005. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  6. ^ Walker, Michael (12 October 2020). "Grant Leadbitter's grief: 'I want to show people you can come through it'". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 October 2020. (subscription required)
  7. ^ "404"
  8. ^ "Leadbitter signs new contract with Sunderland". BBC Sport. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
  9. ^ "Black Cats Pair Seal Switch". Sunderland A.F.C. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  10. ^
  11. ^
  12. ^ "Grant Leadbitter will be my captain on Saturday – if selected". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Jewell: Captaincy Change No Slight on Grant". TWTD. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  14. ^
  15. ^ "Grant Is First Summer Signing". Middlesbrough F.C. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  16. ^ Scott, Ged (30 November 2012). "Birmingham 3–2 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  17. ^ "PFA Championship Team of the Year: Deeney only Watford player". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  18. ^ Bakowski, Gregg (7 May 2016). "Middlesbrough 1–1 Brighton: Boro promoted to Premier League – as it happened". The Guardian
  19. ^ "Grant Leadbitter returns to Sunderland from Middlesbrough almost a decade after leaving". BBC Sport. 29 January 2019.
  20. ^ Lightle, Sam (9 August 2019). "To be named captain is special". Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  21. ^ Wilson, Scott (6 February 2020). "Grant Leadbitter given compassionate leave from Sunderland to deal with 'personal reasons'". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  22. ^ "2021-22: Retained list confirmed". Sunderland A.F.C. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Legend Leadbitter Announces Retirement". mfc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  24. ^ Association, The Football. "The website for the English football association, the Emirates FA Cup and the England football team". The Football Association.
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  41. ^ Pilnick, Brent (14 March 2021). "Sunderland 1–0 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  42. ^ Williams, Adam (31 March 2019). "Portsmouth 2–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  43. ^ Anderson, John (ed.) (2016). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017. London: Headline. pp. 234–235. ISBN 978-1-4722-3395-0.
  44. ^ "Grant Leadbitter named fans' Player of the Year – Video + Gallery". Teesside Live. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2020.