Jonny Howson laughs as he is reminded of a date 17 years ago this week. On March 28th, 2009, the midfielder played the full 90 minutes as the Whites beat MK Dons 2-0 in League One courtesy of a Jermaine Beckford brace at Elland Road.

The following day, current Leeds United Under-21s defender Jacob Howard was born. Fast forward to this campaign and the veteran, back in the Academy fold in an exciting player-coach role, has featured five times alongside the fledgling centre-half.

Breaking into Scott Gardner’s side at just 16, Howard’s fast-tracking into the U21s is by no coincidence. An England U17 international, the powerful and commanding defender is getting his first glimpses into senior football, featuring in the National League Cup for the competition’s reigning champions.

“I have obviously got the experience over the other lads of having a full playing career, if you like,” former first team skipper Howson exclusively told leedsunited.com. “So, I understand when I am on the pitch, playing with them and understanding the game – whether the different situations impact it and how they deal with it.

“Technically, are they showing for the ball? Have they got that hunger wanting to make an impact on the game? Things like that. So, I think when you are actually playing and you are involved, you see stuff that you don’t see from the sidelines. I will see maybe subtle things of whether that is people talking to me, whether that is information I am giving on the pitch and them taking it onboard.

“You see it because you are in the thick of the action. How quickly can people react to certain situations, maybe from what I have told them? The lads have been brilliant. I must say, irrespective of different levels of ability, it is great to work with them because their attitude and application has made my transition of stopping playing first team football so much easier.”

Howson, who represented the club over 200 times in a glittering career, knows what it is like to come through the Thorp Arch setup. Making his league debut back in the 2006/07 Championship campaign, the versatile midfielder’s highlights real – or “special memories” he says – are the envy of every boy or girl growing up in the local area.

Be it the last-gasp goal at Carlisle to send United to Wembley, the assist at Old Trafford or the equaliser on the day promotion was sealed, Jonny’s experiences forged at a young age set him up for a stellar time in the senior game, where he amassed 104 Premier League appearances amongst over 750 professional games.

Despite being there and getting the T-shirt multiple times over, Howson is there to do a job in this next step of his journey and his teammates much his junior aren’t afraid to tell him what he needs to do. Under-21s games at the beginning of the campaign often featured bellowing Glaswegian shouts, as Scotland youth international Rory Mahady barked orders at his defence.

“It is something I have been really impressed with and that is what you need because when we cross that white line, we are all out there to help each other,” the 37-year-old adds. “Yeah, I have played to a certain level and certain number of games but I still need help out there for when I can’t move like I used to be able to be able to.

“At U21s level, it is still a very good standard. Things will happen quickly. You can’t see it all. Playing at centre-back, I need my keeper to tell me where the runners are, keep me switched on out of possession and encouragement works both ways.

“We need to help each other. The bottom line is we are at development stage, so how do we get players into ultimately try and get them into the Leeds United first team? If not, can we get them into a first team somewhere else for that experience? If those lads go and step into a first team environment, whether here or somewhere else, they need to cope with the demands of it.”

Mahady is the perfect example of that. Earning his stripes within the Academy and with his country, the stopper has since developed enormously on what has been a very important and productive loan spell at Scunthorpe United.

Helping players transition from junior football to the senior game, perhaps the most crucial development phase in the sport, is one of the key drivers for the Academy, thanks to the work of U21s and U18s bosses Scott Gardner and Rob Etherington and everyone else behind the scenes.

Howson had options, he admits, when his lengthy spell at Middlesbrough came to an end last summer. But after speaking with Gardner, who he knew from their times together as youngsters with the club, his sights were firmly set on the role. Despite achieving so much in the game, this new opportunity is helping Jonny learn as the coaching door opens.

“It is obviously great to be alongside Scott and Puj [Michal Pujdak], get their take on what they are looking at during the games going on, what they are maybe looking out for and letting me give my thoughts.

“I am older in footballing terms with regards to playing. I am fine with that. I can’t do anything about that. But we are playing U21s football so whether you are 16 or 37 in my case, you have got to be able to cope with the demands because football is a harsh environment.

“To make the next step forward, it is cutthroat irrespective of the level whether you are going into the Conference or the Premier League. You won’t be judged on whether you are 16 or whether you are 37. You will be judged on if you can do the job. Either you can or you can’t. It sounds really harsh but we are in a harsh environment.”

Some training sessions Howson is in the middle of the action. Then, analysing the finer details, he is with the backroom staff looking for those extra one percents. Those fine margins make all the differences for a team heavily reliant on youth this term.

Last campaign, with a more established, older side by Academy standards, the Whites lifted the inaugural National League Cup, overcoming Sutton United in the final to earn silverware. This season, the squad is much younger, comprised of several U18s players with the aim of optimising their exposure early on to top quality opposition.

“Look at the Dortmund game, they were a really good side,” Howson adds, reflecting on the Premier League International Cup defeat to BVB II. “For myself, that was a difficult game. As I say, whether you are 16 or 37, we are in the same team. We have both got to do the job.

“I am in a role of trying to develop players on and off the pitch. I wouldn’t have done this role at any other club. I would have looked to carry on playing but as soon as I knew about this, you are just looking forward to coming back. It will never change, the passion and the love that you have for the club, but I have got a job to do professionally.”

It was a full-circle moment for Jonny, returning to where it all began so many years ago. Now in a unique position of coaching the next generation on the pitch, the former Leeds star wants to continue being a key figure in mentoring the stars of tomorrow.