Gavin Rothery, a product of the club's Academy system, is delighted to be back coaching at the club after an ankle injury put paid to his career.

The 23-year-old  was a title winner with the club's under-18s and was a regular in the reserves before being allowed to move on in 2008.

But he is now working as a coach with youngsters in schools across Leeds after being hired through the Job Centre and the Government's Future Jobs scheme.

Through the Leeds United Foundation, the football club's charitable arm, Gavin helps promote healthy lifestyles and teaches schoolchildren the importance of education through sport.

The Leeds Academy signed Rothery when he was just eight-years-old from local club Farsley Celtic, and the youngster was tipped for the top when he was given a three year sponsorship deal with Adidas aged 17.

One of the greatest highlights of Rothery's career was being named in England's Under 19s squad in 2006 next to Theo Walcott, Micah Richards and Mark Noble.

Rothery signed a new one-year contract with Leeds in August 2007 and was widely rated as one of the best prospects of the academy before developing an ankle injury which required major constructive surgery.

Following his troublesome injury Rothery was released from Leeds United and played a brief spell of football at York City and Harrogate Town before being signed by League One Carlisle United. Rothery played at Carlisle for 18 months under his former Leeds youth team manager Greg Abbott, and made a handful of appearances before leaving the club due to a debilitating hernia operation.

The set back rendered Rothery unemployed for three months before he was touted through the job centre to work as a coach. The role was initially funded through the Government's Future Jobs Scheme.  Apart from becoming a qualified coach with Leeds United and gaining a Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning sector (P.T.L.L.S) teaching certificate to work in schools, Rothery also plays as a midfielder for Guiseley.

"I'm finding my coaching role extremely fulfilling and I would advise anyone to go down the coaching route who's interested in sport," said Rothery, who was born in Leeds.

"It's great to instill discipline in the children through football and the game helps promote a real sense of team work and improved concentration amongst the players which is then reflected in the classroom.

"It's satisfying to witness children's behavior change for the better through the programmes we teach and I tend to get a bit more respect when I tell them I've gone quite far with the game myself."

The Leeds United Foundation operates a number of programmes to benefit the community such as the 'Active for Life' programme which promotes physical activity in after school sessions and within lesson-time and weekends.

The Foundation is also a member of Leeds City Council's Education Leeds framework, recognising it as an approved provider of education for 14-19-year-olds.

"I wouldn't want to coach anywhere else as I've always been a massive Leeds fan as have my dad and granddad," Rothery added.

"My parents have been very supportive throughout my career and used to religiously take me to training throughout the week and at weekends."

Mick Ferguson, a former professional footballer and Head of the Leeds United Foundation, said: "It's fantastic to have Gavin on board as he's someone the youngsters can really look up to given the fantastic things he's achieved in the youth system himself.

"It's clear that Gavin is able to motivate youngsters and capture their enthusiasm and if he wanted to, he could move on to achieve further qualifications to coach a higher age group of players.

"He's an asset to the team and is an inspiration to anyone interested in football or coaching, hoping to follow the same path."