Daniel Leadbitter

Leadbitter joined local club Wide Open Juniors aged seven. He first played for Newcastle United's academy a year later.[http://www.wideopenjuniors.net/rollofhonour/under10sroll.html Wideopen Juniors: Roll of Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512235606/http://www.wideopenjuniors.net/rollofhonour/under10sroll.html |date=12 May 2014 }} Wideopen Juniors F.C. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2013. Initially a centre-back, Leadbitter was converted to a right-back aged 15 due to being shorter than most of his peers; reflecting on the positional change in 2012, he said: "I was too small to stay at centre-back, so I switched to right-back and I've found a home there now." He signed a contract with Newcastle in July 2007, having made his debut for the Newcastle Academy U18s against Middlesbrough in March of that year. His first goal for the academy arrived in October, in a match against Leeds United.[http://www.greaterlondononline.co.uk/news/21664296916640205/daniel_leadbitter_looking_to_impress.asp Greater London Online: Daniel Leadbitter looking to impress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224043/http://www.greaterlondononline.co.uk/news/21664296916640205/daniel_leadbitter_looking_to_impress.asp |date=12 May 2014 }}. Retrieved 11 August 2011. He went on to play for Newcastle's reserve side after graduating from the club's Little Benton Academy,[http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110629/dans-the-man-for-gulls_2281670_2383394 Newcastle United FC – Dan's the man for Gulls] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702205957/http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110629/dans-the-man-for-gulls_2281670_2383394 |date=2 July 2011 }} Newcastle United F.C. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2011. However, he was released in June 2011 without making a first-team appearance.[http://www.torquayunited.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10445~56259,00.html Torquay United – Team Profiles – Daniel Leadbitter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805052117/http://www.torquayunited.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10445~56259,00.html |date=5 August 2011 }} Torquay United F.C. Retrieved 11 August 2011.

Torquay United manager Martin Ling became aware of Leadbitter after watching him playing for Newcastle's Reserves whilst scouting for Hibernian and Walsall.[http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Oastler-Leadbitter-clinch-year-deals/story-12849573-detail/story.html This Is South Devon – Oastler and Leadbitter clinch 1 year deals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531075726/http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Oastler-Leadbitter-clinch-year-deals/story-12849573-detail/story.html |date=31 May 2012 }}. Retrieved 11 August 2011 Upon his release from Newcastle, Ling signed him on a two-year contract on 28 June 2011,[http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=59956 Daniel Leadbitter at Soccerbase] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805134545/https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=59956 |date=5 August 2020 }}. Retrieved 11 August 2011

Leadbitter's league debut for Torquay was delayed due to a hamstring injury and he missed most of the first few months, but finally made his debut for Torquay on 8 October 2011 at the Valley Parade in the Gulls' 1–0 loss to Bradford City.

He made his first league start for Torquay in the 2–1 victory over Gillingham.[https://archive.today/20130505064057/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Danny-Leadbitter-poised-make-start-Torquay-United/story-17156756-detail/story.html Leadbitter poised to make first Torquay start against league leaders] ThisisCornwall.co.uk. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/match/2012/oct/23/torquay-united-v-gillingham Match Stats: Torquay United 2–1 Gillingham] The Guardian. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012. Despite Oastler being available for selection after his suspension expired, Leadbitter retained his place for United's 1–0 win over Morecambe F.C on 27 October 2012; he was voted Man of the match by the match sponsors.[http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/united-1-morecambe-0-450280.aspx?pageView=full#anchored United 1 Morecambe 0] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810203707/http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/united-1-morecambe-0-450280.aspx?pageView=full#anchored |date=10 August 2014 }} Torquay United F.C. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012. The defender was restored to Torquay's starting line-up for the 1–0 loss at Bradford City on 8 December 2012 due to Oastler's suspension; the fixture came a year and two months to the day after Leadbitter's club debut at the same ground, with an identical scoreline.[http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/step-forward-danny-530335.aspx Step Forward Danny: Leadbitter replaces suspended Oastler] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810203623/http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/step-forward-danny-530335.aspx |date=10 August 2014 }} Torquay United F.C. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012. Leadbitter played in United's 1–0 defeat against Fleetwood Town on 9 February 2013; assistant manager Shaun Taylor later claimed Leadbitter's performance was "probably his best game for the club."[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21311642 League Two – Torquay 0–1 Fleetwood] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212094351/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21311642 |date=12 February 2013 }} BBC Sport. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.[http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/dannys-best-game-652845.aspx Danny's Best Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810203702/http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/dannys-best-game-652845.aspx |date=10 August 2014 }} Torquay United F.C. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013. The right-back retained his place for the 3–1 loss to Rotherham United on 12 February and went on to make 11 more appearances before his release in May 2012.

File:In action for Hereford United 13-14 2014-05-11 13-28.jpg in 2014.]]

On 1 August 2013, Leadbitter signed a one-year deal with Hereford United.[http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/news/article/trio-sign-deals-956120.aspx Trialists Trio Sign For Bulls] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805220238/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/news/article/trio-sign-deals-956120.aspx |date=5 August 2013 }} Hereford United F.C. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23515795 Hereford United: James, Evans, Leadbitter, Artus and Gwynne join] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105185903/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23515795 |date=5 November 2013 }} BBC Sport. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013. The right-back made his debut for Hereford on the opening day of the season against Braintree Town on 10 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23558512 Conference – Hereford 1–1 Braintree Town] BBC Sport. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013. He made a good start to his Hereford career, quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular, and by October a Sky Sports publication claimed that "a number of clubs from the Football League have been keeping tabs on Daniel...he is really flourishing under the management of Martin Foyle."[http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8996640/transfer-news-hereford-defender-daniel-leadbitter-watched-by-several-clubs Hereford's Leadbitter watched by several clubs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029222341/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8996640/transfer-news-hereford-defender-daniel-leadbitter-watched-by-several-clubs |date=29 October 2013 }} Sky Sports. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.

File:Daniel Leadbitter 30-04-2016 1.jpg in 2016]]

Leadbitter joined relegated Conference Premier side Bristol Rovers prior to the 2014–15 season. He scored his first professional goal on 13 September 2014 in a 2–3 away win at Lincoln. The team went on to miss out on the Conference Premier league title on the final day by 1 point but earned promotion via the playoffs, triumphing on penalties against Grimsby Town, securing a return to the football league at the first time of asking.[https://twitter.com/Official_BRFC/status/493384536240046081 Bristol Rovers Twitter]. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.

He was offered a new contract by Bristol Rovers at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43993129|title=Bristol Rovers: Ryan Broom, Jonny Burn and Byron Moore released|date=3 May 2018|access-date=11 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622153529/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43993129|url-status=live}}

On 8 May 2019, Leadbitter was announced to be one of 9 players who wouldn't be retained at the end of their contracts bringing his five-season spell at the club, during which he gained two promotions to an end.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2019/may/8.5.19-retained-list/|title=Retained List|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=8 May 2019|access-date=8 May 2019|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508152401/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2019/may/8.5.19-retained-list/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48200414|title=Bristol Rovers: Chris Lines heads list of nine players to leave League One club|date=8 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516053626/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48200414|url-status=live}}

On 20 June 2019, Leadbitter joined Newport County on a two-year contract.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48712363 Leadbitter joins Newport] He made his debut for Newport on 13 August 2019 in the starting line up for the EFL Cup first round win against Gillingham.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49245263 |title=Leadbitter Newport debut |access-date=13 August 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814004346/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49245263 |url-status=live }}

On 4 June 2021 it was announced that he would leave Newport County at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2021/june/newport-county-afc-retained-list-confirmed/|title=Newport County AFC retained list confirmed|website=www.newport-county.co.uk|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-date=4 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604213846/https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2021/june/newport-county-afc-retained-list-confirmed/|url-status=live}}

On 4 September 2020, Leadbitter joined National League side Yeovil Town on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.ytfc.net/news/2020/september/transfer--leadbitter-signs-on-loan/ |title=Transfer {{!}} Leadbitter signs on loan |work=ytfc.net |publisher=Yeovil Town F.C. |date=4 September 2020 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001054110/https://www.ytfc.net/news/2020/september/transfer--leadbitter-signs-on-loan/ |url-status=dead }} On 18 January 2021, Leadbitter's loan was terminated early and he returned to Newport having made 12 appearances for Yeovil.{{cite web |url=https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2021/january/daniel-leadbitter-returns/ |title=Player News {{!}} Daniel Leadbitter returns to Exiles from Yeovil Town |publisher=Newport County F.C. |date=18 January 2021 |access-date=18 January 2021 }}

On 2 February 2021, Leadbitter signed for National League North side Gloucester City on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2021/february/daniel-leadbitter-joins-gloucester-city/ |title=Player News {{!}} Daniel Leadbitter joins Gloucester City on loan |publisher=Newport County F.C. |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=2 February 2021 }}

On 2 July 2021, Leadbitter signed for Gloucester City on a permanent basis following his release from Newport.{{cite web|url=https://www.gloucestercityafc.com/post/leadbitter-seals-city-switch|title=Leadbitter Seals City Switch|website=www.gloucestercityafc.com|date=2 July 2021}}

In June 2024, Leadbitter came back from his one-year playing break, returning to Gloucester City following their relegation to the Southern League Premier Division South.{{cite tweet|number=1804499656644153831|title=Experience, leadership, versatility ✍🏼🐯 Welcome back to the club @danlead12 👏🏼🫶🏼. #gcafc #tigercity|user=GCAFCofficial|author-link=Gloucester City A.F.C.|date=22 June 2024|accessdate=23 June 2024}}

In July 2023, Leadbitter joined the PFA as a personal development manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepfa.com/about-us/meet-the-team|title=About Us|website=www.thepfa.com|accessdate=26 March 2024|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305051125/https://www.thepfa.com/about-us/meet-the-team|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|number=1771831822906724794|title=It was fantastic to recently welcome Daniel Leadbitter to the union's personal development team. 🤝 Introducing the faces behind the PFA in our Team Talk series 🗣️⤵️|user=PFA|author-link=Professional Footballers' Association|date=24 March 2024|accessdate=26 April 2024}}

Leadbitter was born in Newcastle with a mixed English / Jamaican background. He attended Gosforth High School prior to playing for hometown club Newcastle United. At school, he excelled at athletics, reaching the finals of the 400m event at the English Schools Championships.[http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/ReservePlayerProfile/0,,10278~1264460,00.html Newcastle United FC – Daniel Leadbitter profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113185512/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/ReservePlayerProfile/0,,10278~1264460,00.html |date=13 November 2010 }}. Retrieved 11 August 2011 The defender comes from a family of footballers: his uncle, Roger Palmer, played for Manchester City before becoming Oldham Athletic's all-time leading goalscorer, while his cousins Marcus Wood (currently with Southport){{Cite web|url=http://www.thefootballarchives.com/network/player.php?ID=315007|title=thefootballarchives.com|website=www.thefootballarchives.com|access-date=2020-02-27}} and Tyrell Palmer played in the English Lower League Pyramid after coming through the Academy at Bolton Wanderers.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A30576026 What Happened To Roger Palmer?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011104531/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A30576026 |date=11 October 2016 }} BBC Football – 606 Phone-In. 1 January 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2013.

{{updated|match played 14 December 2024}}

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{{commons category|Daniel Leadbitter}}

• {{Soccerbase}}

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Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Newcastle upon Tyne

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Newcastle United F.C. players

Category:Torquay United F.C. players

Category:Hereford United F.C. players

Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players

Category:Newport County A.F.C. players

Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players

Category:Gloucester City A.F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Southern Football League players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen