 Leuty in 1950 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Leon Harry Leuty | ||
| Date of birth | 23 October 1920 | ||
| Place of birth | Shrewsbury, England | ||
| Date of death | 19 December 1955 (aged 35) | ||
| Place of death | Nottingham, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-half | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Derby Corinthians | |||
| 1938–1945 | Derby County | ||
| → Notts County (wartime guest) | |||
| Rolls-Royce Welfare | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1945–1950 | Derby County | 131 | (1) |
| 1950 | Bradford (Park Avenue) | 19 | (0) |
| 1950–1955 | Notts County | 188 | (3) |
| Total | 338 | (4) | |
| International career | |||
| England B | 5 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Leon Harry Leuty (23 October 1920 – 19 December 1955) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre-half, most notably for Derby County and Notts County. Leuty had originally played as an inside-right during his youth, where he became locally recognised. He also earned the Hoare Cricket Trophy for his cricket performances aged 13.
He undertook an engineering apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce, where he stayed for nine years. Despite originally not expecting a football career, Leuty signed as an amateur for Derby County before the outbreak of the Second World War. He played for Notts County as a wartime guest but gave up on his football aspirations following injuries, yet was persuaded to rejoin under manager Frank Womack's coaching.
After the war, Leuty signed a professional contract with Derby County and was part of the 1946 FA Cup final winning team. He faced challenges in his later years at Derby, expressing dissatisfaction with the club's handling of his fitness concerns. In March 1950, he transferred to Bradford (Park Avenue) for a then-noteworthy fee exceeding £20,000, and later that season to Notts County for a similar sum. Leuty faced unsettled periods at Notts County and at one time considered leaving, but became encouraged with the appointment of manager George Poyser.
Despite featuring for the England national B team and being in reserve in several senior international games, he never received a cap for the senior team. Leuty became ill in late 1955 and died in hospital in December 1955 from lymph sarcoma. His death prompted fundraising efforts through charity and testimonial matches, providing financial support to his widow and two children.