Daniel Leadbitter

Daniel Leadbitter

Leadbitter playing for Bristol Rovers in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Daniel William Leadbitter
Date of birth	(1990-10-07) 7 October 1990 (age 26)
Place of birth	Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current team	Bristol Rovers
Number	2
Youth career
1998–2011	Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2013	Torquay United	15	(0)
2013–2014	Hereford United	38	(0)
2014–	Bristol Rovers	87	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:33, 30 April 2017 (UTC).

Daniel William Leadbitter (born 7 October 1990 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is an English professional footballer who plays for League One club Bristol Rovers. He is primarily a right-back known for his pace and athleticism and is also capable of operating all across the defence. Leadbitter is a product of the Newcastle United youth system having joined at the age of 9 but left for Torquay in 2011 to sign a two-year deal, in pursuit of first team football.

Leadbitter joined local club Wide Open Juniors aged seven. He first played for Newcastle United's academy a year later. 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. He went on to play for Newcastle's reserve side after graduating from the club's Little Benton Academy, However, he was released in June 2011 without making a first-team appearance.

Torquay United manager Martin Ling became aware of Leadbitter after watching him playing for Newcastle's Reserves whilst scouting for Hibernian and Walsall. Upon his release from Newcastle, Ling signed him on a two-year contract on 28 June 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. 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. 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. 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." The right-back retained his place for the 3–1 loss to Rotherham United on 12 February and when on to make 11 more appearances before his release in May 2012.