RIGHT STUFF
Big-time Charlie to big time, Leeds star Luke’s shown he can turn it around, says former boss
LUKE AYLING was a “big-time Charlie” who fought with his own team-mates at Yeovil – now he is being tipped for possible England honours.
The 29-year-old rightback, a key figure in Leeds’ transformation under Marcelo Bielsa, failed to make the grade at boyhood club Arsenal and moved to Huish Park to rebuild his career.
Terry Skiverton was the Glovers boss at the time and signed Ayling and team-mate Luke Freeman in 2010 after watching them play in an academy game for the Gunners.
Skiverton, now Yeovil’s assistant manager, recalled: “Not long after joining the club, Luke got into a fight with our defender Paul Huntington.
“He was mouthing off to him and I remember calling Luke a ‘big-time Charlie’ and saying ‘you can’t be talking to more experienced players like that!’ But that was Luke’s winning spirit and he was such a competitor, which I loved. He never knew when
he was beaten and did everything in his power to win on a Saturday. That was a massive attribute which has served him well.
“After being at Arsenal, I think when he first came to Yeovil he thought it was like Ibiza!
Stabilised
“The players would go out for a drink and it’s a small town, but not long after Luke met his longterm partner, Poppy Weller. She really stabilised him early and had a big impact on him, especially when he was young.
“From there Luke settled down and became a true professional with massive drive. And he did it the hard way, by going up the leagues after being let go
by Arsenal.”
Skiverton initially deployed Ayling as a midfielder, but then moved him to right-back, where he thrived as Yeovil won promotion to the Championship in May 2013.
Skiverton added: “Luke went on to played 40-odd games in that season after we got promoted. He really rubber-stamped himself as a quality player and then joined Bristol City.
“Whenever we get young players in at Yeovil now, my story about Luke Ayling really breeds authenticity into attracting those kind of guys through the door. We have also had Andros Townsend, Ryan Mason, Steven Caulker and Alex Mccarthy, so Yeovil is a great hotbed for developing young players.” In August 2016, Leeds signed Ayling and he has been one of their most consistent performers since Bielsa arrived three summers ago.
Surprised
Skiverton is not surprised that England boss Gareth Southgate recently name-checked him as a player he was keeping tabs on. Yeovil legend Skiverton, who remains in close contact with Ayling, said: “Southgate wouldn’t just be watching Luke because he looks good for Leeds.
“Everything will be backed up at the FA with his stats – distance covered, interceptions, assists and duels. Every one of Luke’s will be right up there.
“Luke can play rightback, centre-back and in a back three, and if you’re looking to build from the back, he will always take the ball and drive forward with it.
“Defensively he’s excellent too and I think international football would suit Luke. England will definitely be looking at him.”