Leigh White hangs up his boots after 32 years playing career
Our Player/Manager Leigh White has made the most difficult decision of his playing career as he announces that he will be retiring his boots now that the season is over. Apparently, it was his intention to draw an end to his playing career at the end of this season and an ACL injury in the game versus Clevedon United in January brought an early finish to the season.
Leigh, now near his 48th birthday, has enjoyed an incredible longevity in the game, chalking up more than 1,000 senior games. His first senior game was a debut for Henbury FC in the Gloucestershire County League at the tender age of 15 years. He was quickly spotted by Cheltenham Town, enjoying two seasons there clocking up forty appearances in their Football Combination and Southern League teams.
Whilst at Cheltenham Leigh was invited to trials held in Blackpool, predominantly for youth players being released by Professional Clubs, with a view to earning Soccer Scholarships for USA College Institutes. Arriving late following a match versus Bournemouth the previous night, he was thrust into a series of trial games during that day. At the end he had four offers for 3 years Scholarship and chose the Florida Institute of Technology and was soon packing his bags and set off for America.
After a brief period, he felt that College football was not for him and preferred the more pacey, physical, and competitive edge of football back home and decided to return to England.
It was always Leigh’s ambition to play for his hometownclub Weston-super-Mare FC and arriving back at home, signed for the Club, at that time managed by the well renowned manager Len Ashurst. With plenty of encouragement from then Reserve manager Jack Edgar and Ashurst’s assistant John Relish and his own dedication and desire to play at a high level his first team debut came at 17 years of age and indeed scored in that game at the old stadium at Woodspring Park against Bashley Town.
At his spiritual football home Leigh was determined to be a regular name on the team sheet and over the next six seasons notched up 261 appearances which would have been more but for a serious ACL injury sustained in an away game at Tiverton Town which curtailed his season as a long recoveryprogramme commenced.
His commitment to recovering was strongly supported by the Club, particularly then manager John Relish and Club Physio Dave Lukins. Remarkably he returned to action for the final few games of the season and regained his regular position the following season.
A change in direction at the Club saw a managerial changewith interim manager Chris Smith taking the reins of the first team on behalf of Frank Gregan who was soon to take post following contractual release from his previous employer. It was a time when the creation of National League North and South was imminent, and Weston had to ensure a top half finish was secured for inclusion in the new division. This was duly achieved, and Leigh played his part in this journey.
In the second season at this new level and with Frank Gregan fully at the helm and a much-increased playing budget several quality ex-professional players were brought in and sadly it was time for Leigh to depart. He looks back at that period with pride and satisfaction of playing in the same team with prominent professionals such as Welsh international Robbie James and ex West Ham and Celtic player Stuart Slater and other influential players.
There was no doubt that the severe injury had been a drawback in his career, never really being able to attain the highest level of mobility needed at the top level. However,he went on to feature in the Southern Premier League for another three seasons clocking up more than a hundred appearances for Swindon Supermarine, Cinderford Town and Yate Town.
As the years rolled by Leigh decided it was time to play a little nearer home and had a number of Westen League clubs seeking his signature. He signed on at Welton Rovers managed by Weston based Bob Williams and enjoyed a couple of seasons there and proved really popular with the Club’s supporters with his all-action performances and commitment to the game.
Next Steve Fey formerly of Clevedon Town came calling as he had taken over at Bristol Manor Farm with promotion to the Southern league his goal. Leigh became an integral part of the team and indeed they qualified as runners up but were unable to gain promotion as ground grading requirements were unaffordable at that time. Disappointed with the news Fey departed and Leigh stayed on for another season before having another spell back at Welton thinking that would be his last season playing in the Western League
The next season he was lured to Clevedon United, who had just won promotion to the Western League, by newly appointed manager Alan Smith. He was building an exciting young team and sought one or two experienced players to guide them on and so another season was spent during an enjoyable spell with home games being played at the Hand Stadium home of Clevedon Town at that time.
To see out the rest of his playing era he moved to Langford Rovers in the Premier division of the Somerset County League and joined several local players whom he had known since school days and again enjoyed a successful 4-year spell which included a runners-up position. Unfortunately,Langford disbanded and that seemed to be that!
How wrong can you be.
At the age of 38 he joined Wrington Redhill at the start of the 2014/15 season, the Club’s first season in the Somerset County League Premier division following promotion under then manager Alan Smith who had been trying to sign him for a few seasons. One of his proud moments was, as captain of the side, collecting the trophy for winning the League Cup having beaten Frys at Bridgwater Town’s ground.
After 10 years with the Club, he has completed a total of 291 appearances for Wrington Redhill to add to the 125 for Langford which is remarkable in mind that he did not drop down into County football until he was 34, an age many a player would be looking to hang up their boots.
Having been skipper at Wrington Redhill virtually since his arrival at the club, Leigh is now in the role of Manager, he remains an extremely popular character throughout the club among players and supporters alike. He is exactly the type of person any club would be glad to have in their ranks, hardly ever missed a game, never missed a training session, attends every club function and it is a real pleasure for the Club to have him with us. By passing on his vast experience to the new young talent he’s brought in he seeks to again transform the fortunes of our club get us back punching above our weight in the premier division.
Knowing Leigh, we are sure he will soon be back in action on the pitch helping with the Veterans team and other Charitable games that may come along.
Everyone at Wrington Redhill Football Club wishes Leigh the best in his well-earned playing retirement.