Hull City captain Lewie Coyle has explained why Leeds United’s training ground holds a “special place” in his heart.
The defender was born in Hull and has made over 200 appearances for his boyhood club.
However, it was not until the age of 24 that Coyle pulled on the black and amber of the Tigers.
He cut his teeth at Leeds United, developing within the club’s academy and spending years honing his craft at the Thorp Arch facility in Wetherby. A spell at Fleetwood Town followed his Leeds exit before Hull came calling for one of their own.
Now a seasoned professional, the 30-year-old has his own football academy and its players recently made a trip to his old stomping ground.
Lewie Coyle serves as captain of his boyhood club Hull City.placeholder image
Lewie Coyle serves as captain of his boyhood club Hull City. | Tony Johnson
Lewie Coyle on ‘special place’
Posting on Instagram, Coyle said: “To a lot of people it may just look like a group of my academy players taking a picture in front of a Leeds United badge at Thorp Arch.
“However it’s so much more than that to me, this is a place that holds a special place in my heart, a place which allowed me to pursue my dream and a place I spent so many invaluable hours with my old man who took me up and down that motorway three/four times a week.
“I can still hear and remember the conversations we used to have and it all makes sense now.
“Fast forward all these years later, my own football academy is giving the children of Hull a chance to pursue their own dreams and not just in sport but whatever it is they are wanting to do. Forever grateful and immensely proud. Chase your dreams kids.”
Lewie Coyle cut his teeth in Leeds United’s academy.placeholder image
Lewie Coyle cut his teeth in Leeds United’s academy. | Simon Hulme
He signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal, over six years on from his move to the club from Fleetwood.
After agreeing terms, the right-back said: "I've been here six years now and there have been some real highs – winning the league title in my first season at my hometown club and receiving the captain's armband on a full-time basis.
“I've loved my time here. It's well documented how much this club means to me, being from here. To represent this city and play for the club where I'm from means an awful lot to me and my family.
Lewie Coyle has made over 200 appearances for Hull City.placeholder image
Lewie Coyle has made over 200 appearances for Hull City. | Jonathan Gawthorpe.
"I'm very optimistic about this season. I feel like the club is in a really good place, with a fantastic set of staff and players.
"I want to captain this club back to the Premier League, which I truly believe we can achieve."