DAVID BATTY

Personal Stats
DOB: 2nd December 1968
Birthplace: Beeston, Leeds
Height: 5'8"

Profile
Batts was playing the best football of his career when he sustained a calf injury against Bradford City, an injury that was to rule him out for the rest of the season.
His presence in the Leeds midfield alongside the youth of Bowyer, Bakke, McPhail and Kewell helped Leeds march to the top of the Premiership and impress in the early rounds of the UEFA Cup.
But his failure to come back cast doubts over his future in the game as United's medical staff battled to get Batty fit again, and it was only later that it was diagnosed that the medication he was using to counter a heart problem that arose from his rib injury picked up in his first game back as a Leeds player, was reducing his recovery, and now reports suggest that he may not play at all during the 2000/2001 season.
Much to the delight of United fans, David Batty became David O'Leary's first signing in December 1998, when the prodigal son returned to Elland Road from Newcastle in a deal worth £4.4M, with his new manager saying: " he should never have been allowed to leave here in the first place
Batty was 18 when he made his debut and impressed with his tackling and speed, going on to be capped by England Under-21 despite only half a season of League experience.
Educated at Allerton Grange School, Leeds, he represented the city at every schoolboy level, played for West Yorkshire Schools Under-15 and had England trials. From local side Tingley Athletic he signed apprentice forms in July 1985 and was tipped for a first-team place at the start of 1987-88, but a fractured ankle delayed his debut.
Batty was a tremendous success at Elland Road, after becoming a regular first team choice at the age of 18. He went on to appear over 250 times for Leeds, helping them first to promotion and then to the Football League title in 1991-92. An England regular, he was controversially sold to Blackburn Rovers for £2,750,000 in a deal that angered Leeds supporters.
Although his new team went on to win their first Premiership title, Batty was restricted to just 5 appearances that season, by an ankle injury. Although offered a medal, he declined the offer because he felt he hadn't contributed enough to Blackburn's cause. He went on to notch up over 50 appearances for the Lancashire side before being transferred again, this time to Newcastle Utd in a deal worth £3,750,000.
To date, David has played 35 times for his country but will probably be remembered for his penalty miss in the 1998 World Cup Finals defeat against Argentina in France. Nevertheless, he is renowned a player of tremendous character and tenacity, a reputation which has led some to refer to him as "a real Yorkshire Terrier" of a player.
His second spell with Leeds went very much to plan, as Batts played a pivotal role surrounded by DO's new breed of exciting youngsters.

Career Stats:
Squad No. 23
Position: Midfield
Date Signed: 8th December 1998
Signed from: Newcastle United
Transfer fee: £4,400,000
International Honours: England, England B, England U21
Previous Clubs Apps(Subs)/Goals: Leeds United - 247(10)/4 Blackburn Rvrs - 71(1)/1 Newcastle Utd - 103(0)/4