Top of the shops: Josh Warrington opens new Leeds United store

And today Josh Warrington showed he is also top of the shops as he did the honours at the official opening of Leeds United’s new merchandising store.

He joined the club’s managing director, Angus Kinnear, to welcome the first customers to the store, which is in the Trinity Leeds centre.

Leeds fan Josh told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “You want to see young kids walking around the city with Leeds gear on and going to school with Leeds United backpacks because that’s how I remember it, back when we were doing alright in the Premier League and Champions League.

“The club’s got a fantastic support already but it’s the next generation that need to get on board and little things like a shop in the city centre help.”

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Mr Kinnear said: “We’ve spoken a lot about re-engaging in the city and it’s a bit of a statement, we deliberately chose a great location.

“We think it’ll trade very well and fans will like it but it’s as much a statement for the city and that work continues across a number of areas.

“It’s another step in Leeds United and Leeds as a city working closer together.”

Whites title-winning hero Tony Dorigo was due to visit the store at lunchtime today to meet fans while current Leeds players Pablo Hernandez, Samu Saiz, Ronaldo Vieira and Lewis Baker are set to turn out for a signing session from 5.30pm.

United’s renewed efforts to connect with the wider city also saw the recent opening of a club shop at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Another outlet has been in operation at the Merrion Centre since 2016, with its opening giving the Whites their first permanent retail presence in the city centre since their old Albion Street store closed its doors in 2007.