Leeds United Under-18s and Under-21s players recently met with former academy product Peter Mitchell, who gave a powerful insight into the highs and lows of professional football.
The Northern Irish youth international joined the Whites as a teenager and was on track to break into the first-team squad under boss David O’Leary, until being involved in a car accident.
Not only did the accident end his playing career, Mitchell lost the use of his legs and spent months recovering before he was able to go home.
“It is always emotional coming back here,” the 40-year-old told LUTV on the visit to Thorp Arch. “I think it is my first time back here in five or six years. It is always a real trip down memory lane.
“It was a club that gave me that opportunity and my two years here were two of the best years of my life. I will never forget my time here. This club means a lot to me. It was a club that gave me that opportunity.”
Determined to not let the accident define the rest of his life, Peter then took up wheelchair basketball, where he would represent his country at the European Championships.
Further opportunities came in the form of acting, including appearances in Cast Offs, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, and motivational speaking through the League Football Education (LFE).
“To share my story with the Academy boys now is a touching moment for myself. Adversity can come for anyone at any time and there is always someone to talk to. They are your young footballers, they are talented, gifted players and have got this far.
“I always say football built me. It made me the man I am today. I had that grit, that bit of fire in the belly. And all young players don’t get to a club like Leeds United if you don’t have a wee bit of something about you, if you don’t have a wee bit of bite.”
Delivering a talk to Scott Gardner’s squad before training, the former full-back discussed his experiences and offered important bits of advice to the potential stars of tomorrow.
“On the pitch and off the pitch, keep that hunger and keep that desire because it can take you far in life,” he told the group. “But I am proof that there is life after football as well.
“What I say to the boys, whether you are myself, losing a career at 18, or whether you go on to have a full career and retire at 33, 34, 35, whatever age it may be – it is a very short career. The big thing is just make the most of the opportunity because it is the best job in the world.”
