Leeds United went into the international break on the back of a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United at Elland Road. The point was seen as a good result against a Champions League side, but it came at the cost of a proud record, which was close to their heart.
The draw was a good result for Leeds against Newcastle, especially on the back of a 5-0 defeat of Arsenal and the exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of a struggling Championship side such as Sheffield Wednesday.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
The Whites have defied early expectations with four points from their opening three games, and they are now being tipped to stay above the relegation zone, despite initial predictions they’d go straight back down to the Championship.
However, the result against Newcastle managed to hide a glaring detail, which has recently emerged and must disappoint the Leeds supporters and sections of the club’s hierarchy.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
A proud Leeds United record quietly ended against Newcastle
Leeds United have a proud history of developing youth at the club, and the generations of players from the Gray family are a prime example of the club’s commitment towards their academy.
However, the recent focus on promotion and survival has seen youth products increasingly sidelined, with fewer breaking into the starting XI or first team.
And against Newcastle at Elland, a very proud record related to the club’s academy and the first team came to an end.
According to LUFCDATA, the Newcastle clash marked the first time since December 2009 that no academy product featured in the first-team squad.
Our last match against Newcastle was our first game without a single Leeds United academy graduate named in the matchday squad since December 2009. Ended a run of sixteen years. #LUFC https://t.co/mcvgfm9rDp
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) September 9, 2025
Sam Byram was the sole representative of the Leeds academy in the first two Premier League matchday squads, and he featured in the eleven against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup.
However, his absence from the squad against Newcastle ended a proud 16-year run of academy products in the Leeds first team squad.
Harry Gray is seen as a shining light of the academy, but Farke has not named him in a single Premier League matchday squad this season
Farke needs to use the academy better
It is not a surprise that Farke is relying less on young players from the academy, given his remit in the last two years was to get Leeds promoted, and it is all about survival in the Premier League this season.
However, the German coach could still do a lot better when it comes to utilising the academy and filling gaps in his first team squad.
Leeds have not looked like scoring a goal from open play this season, but Gray is not even making the bench for Premier League games, despite winning accolades in youth football.
A 16-year run came to an end against Newcastle as the manager could not find a spot for a young striker in his squad, despite the team’s goalscoring woes.
Related Topics