Aidy White - Fans memories of pacy Leeds United left back

Aidy White's career started from the bench when he replaced Bradley Johnson during a second round Carling Cup clash against Crystal Palace at Elland Road in August 2008.

His full debut arrived the following month against Carlisle United at Brunton Park in a 2-0 win. It was a performance which impressed Carlisle’s assistant manager Greg Abbott who had worked for Leeds as a youth-team coach.

“For a 16-year-old, I thought he was incredible,” said Abbott in his post-match press conference. “He’s got a fantastic feel for the ball and he’s so comfortable on it. “Throwing in a 16-year-old is only a risk if the kid’s not good enough. Aidy White is good enough, it’s as simple as that.”

Otley-born White went on to make over 100 appearances for his hometown club but injuries and intermittent form prevented him from pushing his Leeds career to the next level. At one stage he looked set to follow in the footsteps of other academy products by sealing a move to the Premier League.

He chose to stay at Elland Road but, despite his initial promise, the defender’s opportunities were increasingly limited and Leeds released him in 2015.

Upon leaving United, White said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to play for my hometown club for so many years. It’s something I’m extremely proud of.”

Your YEP asked the Elland Road faithful to share memories of a left back whose only goal for the club helped knock Everton out of the Capital One Cup in September 2012.

Responses included:

Darrin Brown - " Bale struggling to outrun him in the FA Cup was brilliant. Just after Bale got labelled the fastest in football for his running in a Champions League game. Aidy White had ridiculous pace!"

Paul Blakemore - "Remember Gary McAllister giving him his debut. So much potential never fulfilled unfortunately for us."

Bálint Petre - "When he scored in the cup v Everton. I bought his shirt that year."

Tom Rowley - "versus Everton in the League Cup. Brilliant goal."

Mikey Knight Harris - "Fast as fudge that lad."

Ian Maher - "My first game against Everton, September 2012, League Cup. Seriously good finish. He’s the one player I feel looking back on from that era that could’ve been such a good player with the right manager."

Nathan Littlewood - "My first ever Leeds game and he made his debut. Still the fastest player I have seen to this day."

Sam Kitching - "The game where he made Gareth Bale - who was in his prime - look like a scared little girl."

Jake Brown - "Shame he had that injury as he looked a promising prospect before that."

Ian Elliott - "He first broke through as a 16 year old under McAllister if I remember right. Should have gone on to have a Premier League career same as Charlie Taylor but injuries put an end to that. I also have strange memories of Warnock trying to play him as a right winger who would cut inside onto his left foot. That experiment didn't last long."

Christopher Lyon - "His goal against Everton in the League Cup."

Neil Howson - "One of those very good players we had who suffered injuries at the wrong time, like Chris Dawson and Zac Thompson."

notBrian (@BriBriCanavan) - "Goal against Everton, absolutely cracking finish. Skips past two players and bends it into the top corner, outstanding!"

LEEDS UNITED MAD (@LeedsUnited_MAD) - "Sept 2012 at Elland Road with driving rain & thousands of empty seats in a League Cup tie with Everton. Aidy White erupted on to a loose ball after just four minutes, surged beyond Fellaini & between the Everton centre backs before placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Jan Mucha & into the corner with a clinical left-foot shot. Great night. That was Aidy. Truly gifted."

Dazza71 (@OntheBielsaBus) - "He played his part in the year we went up in 2009/10. My abiding memory of him at Leeds his the quick feet and finish against Everton in the League Cup."

The Objective Leeds Fan (@bad_leeds) - "In the FACup vs Spurs. He wasn’t playing much at the time but had to start so we could deal with the pace of Aaron Lennon. He had him in his pocket all game."

noi tutti amiamo Leeds (@ingham37) - "No nonsense full back who gave his all but for me just came up a little short and the managers that had him never knew what his best position was. Strange that because he was most certainly a decent left back in a team that wasn’t in the best place for one reason or the other."

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