How Jamie Shackleton epitomised Marcelo Bielsa's squad effort in Leeds United's title charge

If you’re looking for a local boy in Leeds United’s promotion-winning squad then the search would be over fairly quickly.

Marcelo Bielsa’s history-makers are littered with high class talent from the first team to development ranks but a similar theme recurs throughout.

The more immediate and obvious choice that springs to mind when searching for a local angle is hard-hitting midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has become somewhat of a shining light for Thorp Arch’s production line in recent seasons.

A dive a little deeper past the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’, though, uncovers that Leeds grit has had a key role to play this term in helping shape the second division champions, most notably behind closed doors.

Bielsa’s first-team squad has a mix of top-class talent but a second wave underneath is built from the best of what the club’s academy produces; the faces that push those above them in the pecking order each and every day on the training pitch.

The majority of United’s matchday squads have been filled out with the club’s emerging talent - a lot of which Yorkshire can boast.

Robbie Gotts and Oliver Casey are just two of those who have featured more heavily than most but there is one in particular who has played a larger supporting role than his peers.

Upon Bielsa’s arrival a little over two years ago, Jamie Shackleton was one of the first names on his lips - and a promotion to the senior ranks followed swiftly.

“Jamie has a maturity which does not correspond to his age,” Bielsa revealed last year. “He plays like a veteran.”

By Shackleton’s own admission it all came quickly and unexpectedly, as he made 19 appearances in the 65-year-old’s debut campaign.

Similar numbers were recorded this year - making five starts and 17 substitute appearances - but Bielsa doesn’t just hand out opportunities for the sake of it; they are earned.

Shackleton’s chances have come through hard work, determination and taking information on board while learning from those around him.

He has even been studying for his first UEFA pro licence.

Now, just a little over 12 months on from lifting the Under-23s national title for the club, he’s heading to the Premier League with a Championship trophy under his arm in the knowledge his role was a crucial one for his boyhood team.

“The last few days have been perfect as a Leeds lad. It’s everything that I could have dreamed of,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“All the lads and Marcelo are over the moon. There’s been a lot of smiles over the past few days and I can imagine many more for a couple of weeks before we start focusing on the next season.”

As Leeds were presented with the Championship trophy, a picture later emerged on social media.

It showed Gotts and Shackleton along with fellow academy graduate Alfie McCalmont as young boys in the Leeds youth system; the adjoining photograph was of the trio holding the club’s first piece of silverware in 28 long years.

It capped off a whirlwind few days for the attacking midfielder, who bagged his first senior goal at Derby County before making it two in two games against Charlton Athletic.

“I’ve had a couple of starts and I’ve come off the bench quite a few times so to finally get that first goal is brilliant,” he continued.

“Not only am I champions with my boyhood club, but to get my first goal as well, is just a perfect day.

“The occasion and us being back in the Premier League is something I’ve dreamed of since being a little kid and it has obviously been a brilliant few days.

“It doesn’t matter what the scenario is when myself or any of the lads put on a Leeds shirt I’m going to make sure I give everything.”

Shackleton was just four years old when Leeds fell out of the top flight - a sentence that perhaps reflects more on the struggles of the club than any other.

The likes of top-flight champions Liverpool along with Manchester United and City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will all once again be forced to make the trip to Elland Road next season, only this time on a more equal footing.

It’s been a long time coming and Leeds have been forced to see a number of academy graduates up and leave during the period they have strived to earn a return to Premier League football.

Now, however, the latest crop of youngsters won’t have to go elsewhere in order to fulfil their ambitions; the top-flight has been brought to them by the class of 2020.

“Coming up against the best league in the world and some of the best players in the world,” he said when he was asked what he was most looking forward to in the club’s first season back.

“Playing in front of a full Elland Road in front of football’s biggest names will be special as well.

“It really is everything I could have wanted.”