Leeds United - on this day: David Batty hangs up boots after second Elland Road spell

The day...

June 16, 2004.

Who?

David Batty.

The background

David Batty is a former Leeds United midfielder who made 373 appearances in all competitions for the Elland Road side over two spells.

Batty came through the ranks in West Yorkshire and made his debut for the club in 1987 as an 18-year-old before going on to play an integral role in the 1989-90 Second Division-winning outfit under manager Howard Wilkinson.

He also helped the Whites to the stunning triumph of the 1991-92 First Division title as part of one of the most memorable midfield's in United's history alongside Gary Speed, Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister.

Batty left his boyhood club in 1993 after Wilkinson opted to reluctantly sell him to Kenny Dalglish's Blackburn Rovers, where he would lift the Premier League title but refuse a winners medal after a broken foot limited him to just five appearances across the 1994-95 campaign.

He left Lancashire in 1996 to join Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United side before returning to West Yorkshire two years later under David O'Leary.

Batty played a key role as an experienced head in midfield to help lead O'Leary's young charges as he helped the club qualify for the Champions League and UEFA Cup - sparking a number of memorable European nights for the club.

Injuries plagued the end of his Whites career, with Batty making his final appearance for Leeds in January 2004 before he hung up his boots in the summer after his release in LS11.

The legacy

Batty was seen as a tough-tackling enforcer in the heart of midfield and won the adulation of the Elland Road faithful with his no nonsense approach.

What you saw is what you got - a local boy living the Leeds United dream - and he is still held in the highest of regard for the role he played in the club's resurgence in the early nineties and, upon his return, helping United's European exploits around the turn of the century.

United fans used to bellow "Shooooooooot!" from the terraces as the midfielder's lack of goals were evident, scoring just four for the club in total.

Batty also went on to play for England, making 42 appearances including a call up for the 1998 World Cup finals.

He remains an elusive figure in West Yorkshire since his retirement, having led a quiet life away from the game since hanging up his boots.