James Milner footballer: Encyclopedia II - James Milner footballer - Leeds United and Swindon Town

James Milner footballer - Leeds United and Swindon Town

Milner started his professional career with Leeds United, playing for their reserve team. After an impressive outing with the England Under-17 team in a summer tournament in 2002, Milner was selected for the Leeds first team for the 2002-03 season. He made his debut on November 10, 2002 at Upton Park, a 3-4 win against West Ham United, becoming, in the process, the second youngest player ever to play in the Premiership, behind Coventry City's Gary McSheffrey. In December he set another record, that of the Premiership's youngest scorer, his first goal thus coming on December 26, 2002, in a 1-2 win against Sunderland A.F.C. at the Stadium of Light. He made a total 22 appearances for Leeds that season, 18 in the league, scoring 2 goals.

At the beginning of next season, in September 2003, Milner was sent on a month-long loan to Second Division side Swindon Town. He appeared in 6 league matches for Swindon, scoring 2 goals, and gaining important first team experience.

He was back at Elland Road in October. Milner personally had a good season, playing in 30 of the 38 Premiership games, and even though he scored only thrice, creating many more. But the season ended in disappointment as Leeds finished nineteenth in the league table and were relegated into the Championship.

Even though Milner had completed only one year of his 5-year deal with Leeds, there were enquiries from several clubs, and he was eventually sold to Newcastle United for £5 million.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Leeds United and Swindon Town", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki