The squad of players who got Leeds United promoted back to the Premier League after 16 years will forever be remembered as legends at the club, but what about the heroes that got them promoted to the Championship in 2010?
One such promotion hero is none other than Sanchez Watt, who played for Leeds on loan during the run in of the 2009/10 promotion season and then again in their first season back in the Championship. The former winger recently put out a tweet that read ‘WHY DO PEOPLE EVEN FOLLOW ME.. IM JUST A FAILURE FROM HACKNEY’. Sanchez Watt was far from a failure, and in this article we’re going to tell you why.
Leeds had started the season in electric form, with just 1 loss from their opening 23 league games. Then when they beat Manchester United in the FA Cup, they seemed on top of the world. Unfortunately, they would then win just 1 of their next 8 league games which put the seemingly inevitable promotion in question.
Following a stretch of 4 games without a single goal, Leeds explored the loan system for an answer to their lack of creativity- enter Sanchez Watt. Watt spent the first half of Leeds’ promotion season on loan at Southend from Arsenal, where he made just 4 league appearances. Watt had a point to prove, and Leeds had a promotion to secure.
The 19-year-old made his debut in a 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town as a late substitute for Jermaine Beckford. He also came off the bench as Leeds beat Watt’s former club Southend 2-0. Watt was featured in the starting line-up for the 4-1 win over MK Dons, in which the winger provided 2 assists for Luciano Becchio and Jermaine Beckford. Watt had finally shown what he could do, and it was likely this game that convinced them to bring him back for a second season.
Watt was on the pitch when promotion to the Championship was confirmed thanks to goals from Jonny Howson and Jermaine Beckford in a 2-1 win against Bristol Rovers that solidified a 2nd place finish on the final day. But Leeds weren’t done with Sanchez Watt just yet.
Leeds decided to bring Watt back for the next season, in which the Arsenal youngster would play a larger role as he made 22 league appearances. Watt was unfortunately hampered with injuries during his second season with Leeds, most notably an ankle injury that would keep him out from October until New Years Day. That combined with the excellent form of Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass meant Watt’s opportunities were somewhat limited.
Watt scored his only league goal for Leeds in a 4-0 win over Scunthorpe on the 15th of January, opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Watt’s final appearance in a Leeds United shirt would be the final day victory against champions QPR. Leeds had a brilliant first season back in the Championship, finishing in 7th place and missing out on a playoff spot by 3 points.
Every member of the 2009/10 promotion season will be etched into this club’s history forever, and Sanchez Watt is no exception. Watt often interacts with Leeds fans on Twitter, who still remember him fondly. Watt is always welcome at Elland Road, and even expressed his intention to bring his kids to come see a game this season.
