 Leuty in 1950 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Leon Harry Leuty[1][2] | ||
| Date of birth | 23 October 1920 | ||
| Place of birth | Shrewsbury, England | ||
| Date of death | 19 December 1955 (aged 35) | ||
| Place of death | Nottingham, England | ||
| Position(s) | Central defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 193x–1945 | Derby County | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1945–1950 | Derby County | 131 | (1) |
| 1950 | Bradford Park Avenue | 19 | (0) |
| 1950–1955 | Notts County | 188 | (3) |
| Total | 338 | (4) | |
| International career | |||
| England B | 5 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Leon Harry Leuty (23 October 1920 – 19 December 1955) was an English professional footballer who played as a central defender.
Early life
Leuty was born in Shrewsbury and began playing football with a local church school as an inside-right. As he began to become recognised locally, he played in numerous trial matches at international level and signed as an amateur for Derby County upon leaving school.[3]
Club career
Derby County
During World War II, Leuty worked for Rolls-Royce as an engineer. During this time, he played for Notts County as a wartime guest, although he had signed with Derby County as an amateur before the outbreak of war. During this time, his play caught the attention of Derby, who recalled him under rules that governed amateur players at the time. He signed a professional contract with Derby County in May 1945[4] and played for them in the 1946 FA Cup Final.[5] Towards the end of 1949, reports were circulating that Leuty was keen on a transfer away from Derby, although neither player nor club commented.[6]
Bradford Park Avenue
In early March 1950, Derby announced an intention to listen to offers for Leuty.[7] Bradford Park Avenue submitted a bid for around £20,000 and sent two club directors to meet personally with Leuty. At this time, Leuty was described by the Bradford Observer as being "one of the country's best center-half backs",[8] while the club were battling to avoid relegation.[9] Bradford ultimately signed Leuty for a fee exceeding £24,000, at the time believed to be the second highest fee for a player, behind the £26,000 paid by Preston North End for Eddie Quigley the same season. Despite interest from several other first division clubs, including a matching bid from Sunderland, Leuty opted to join the Bradford club,[10] after previously saying he did not wish to join them. At this time, he was described by The Nottingham Guardian as being "one of the best centre-halves in the country".[11]
Notts County
Leuty never settled at Bradford and transferred to Notts County in 1950, the same club he played for as a wartime guest. The fee was estimated in the region of £25,000.[4] He made his club debut on 23 September 1950, in a game against Preston North End.[12] He was reported in 1953 to be keen on a move away from the club.[13]
International career
Leuty played for the England national football B team on at least five separate occasions,[4] and captained the team on two occasions.[14] He was tipped as being promoted to the senior team, having been a reserve on several occasions.[9] He was described by the Daily Mirror in 1950 as being "England's best uncapped centre half".[15] Leuty was regarded by some as being the most likely challenger to Stoke City's Neil Franklin as a centre-half starter for England.[6]
Death
Leuty was initially admitted to hospital in November 1955. After being discharged, he spectated a game against Plymouth where he was described as being "far from well", and was re-admitted in December to have a blood transfusion. Despite again being discharged, he was re-admitted at the advice of the club doctor with kidney troubles. He died on 19 December 1955, leaving a widow and two children.[16]
Following his death, funds were raised for the family through a charity match and a testimonial match, with amounts of £1,750 and £500 respectively provided to his widow.[17]
Honours
Derby County
References
- ^ "Leon Harry Leuty".
- ^ "Leon Leuty". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "Unlucky Leuty". Liverpool Echo. 24 September 1949. p. 15.
- ^ a b c "Leon Leuty - Notts County". Football Post. 23 December 1950. p. 3.
- ^ "Profile". therams.co.uk. 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Leon Leuty now seeking a transfer?". Evening Sentinel. 22 August 1949. p. 6.
- ^ "Derby want offers for Leon Leuty". Manchester Evening News. 7 March 1950. p. 12 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Bradford want Leuty for tomorrow's game". Bradford Observer. 10 March 1950. p. 6 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Notts County's bid for Leuty". Nottingham Evening News. 20 September 1950. p. 1.
- ^ "Bradford sign Leuty: Fee topped £24,000". Bradford Observer. 16 March 1950. p. 8 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Leon Leuty signed by Bradford". The Nottingham Guardian. 16 March 1950. p. 6.
- ^ "Leon Leuty makes his debut". Evening Post. 23 September 1950. p. 6.
- ^ "Notts County on the spot: Manager and three stars want to go". Daily Herald. 24 August 1953. p. 6.
- ^ Tom Keetley (28 September 2010). "Ten of the Magpies' best players". This Is Nottingham.
- ^ "England's 'best uncapped centre half' is for transfer". Daily Mirror. 8 March 1950. p. 10.
- ^ "Death of Leon Leuty Shocks Supporters". Evening Post. 20 December 1955. p. 6.
- ^ "Leon Leuty Fund". Evening Telegraph. 16 November 1956. p. 32.