Leigh Jenkinson in the Sky Blue
Back in November 2021 we welcomed Sky Blues nineties midfielder Leigh Jenkinson to CCFPA (thanks to CCFPA’s then Recruitment Officer Ed Blackaby). Today we have another reason to celebrate as Leigh hits a birthday landmark. Born at Moorends near Thorne, South Yorkshire (on 9th July 1969) the left sided wide midfielder is celebrating his 57th birthday today. Congrats Leigh!
Leigh started his professional career with Hull City via their YTS scheme, turning professional in 1987. He stayed at Boothferry Park for six years before moving to the Sky Blues making over 130 appearances for the Tigers and scoring thirteen goals. He also made seven appearances on loan at Rotherham United in September 1990. Like fellow CCFPA member, former Sky Blue John Williams (aka ‘the Flying Postman’), in his day Leigh was reputed to be the fastest winger in football and competed in the final eight of the same Rumbelows Sprint Challenge!
Leigh in Sky Blue action
‘Cov.Kid’ two time Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Bobby Gould (now a fellow Association member) brought Leigh to Highfield Road along with David Rennie to supplement a tired Premier League squad in March 1993 for £200k. Leigh made his debut in mid March 1993 in a disappointing 2-0 Highfield Road defeat to Arsenal but was bought to replace the sort of tricky wing play and crossing power City lost when (now fellow CCFPA member) David Smith moved to Birmingham City.
After just two years at Highfield Road, which included a short loan spell with the Brummagems in 1993-94 (three appearances), Leigh moved north of the border joining Scottish football club St Johnstone after 36 Sky Blue appearances and a solitary Sky Blue goal.
Leigh in action
After nearly seventy league games and ten goals for the Perth club he tried another spell for seven games in England with Wigan Athletic in 1998 but soon returned to Scotland. There he signed for Hearts where he stayed two years but only featured in five first team games plus another four in 2000 on loan to Dundee United.
Leigh finished his career in non-League football with Barrow (2000) and Goole Town (2001-03) before leaving the game completely, moving back to North Yorkshire and apparently pulling on his boots again one more time in 2009 for the Hull City‘s Masters team!
‘Many Happy Returns’ Leigh! We hope you can come down to join us at a CCFPA event and/or Sky Blues game sometime next season. In the meantime have a great birthday today!
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