James Milner still shocked at the ‘incredible’ chant he once heard Leeds United fans sing

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It has been more than 20 years since James Milner last pulled on a Leeds United shirt, and 23 years since he made his debut for The Whites as a 16-year-old at West Ham.

Of course, Milner was one of a number of players to leave Leeds in the summer of 2004 after the club’s financial collapse and relegation to the Championship – alongside Paul Robinson, Alan Smith and more.

Milner joined Newcastle and has since forged a stunning career that is still going. Three Premier League titles, a Champions League medal, two FA Cups and two Carabao Cups, as well as 61 England caps.

Indeed, Milner has clocked up a whopping 637 Premier League appearances and is the second all-time Premier League appearance holder – just 16 behind Gareth Barry. He will be hoping to change that.

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James Milner recalls the incredible song Leeds fans once sung

But Milner has not forgotten his Leeds past. A former ball-boy before graduating from The Thorp Arch academy, Milner had 1991-92 champion Tony Dorigo on the back of his Leeds shirt as a child.

Playing for Leeds as a teenager in the difficult years before relegation after his debut under manager Terry Venables, Milner said he remembers a song the Leeds fans sung when they were being heavily beaten.

He told Pro Direct: “Immense. The atmosphere is incredible. The years I was there as a fan and as a player – things weren’t going well as a player – the support they gave us even when we were losing heavily.

“They sing the whole way through. I remember getting relegated and they were singing, we’re going down in a minute. Vocal the whole time, no matter what, getting behind their team – amazing fans.”

What next for James Milner, he turns 40 next season…

Milner will be absolutely desperate to beat Gareth Barry’s record of 653 Premier League matches – and it will be a massive source of frustration for him this term that he has only been able to play three games.

If Milner is to beat the record, he needs to join a side in the Premier League where he is confident he will get games – even if it is off the bench. Perhaps a club that is close to his heart and needs midfielders.

Leeds have lost Josuha Guilavogui and are unlikely to sign Joe Rothwell permanently. So, there is every chance that if Leeds want Milner, he will surely be open to a return to Elland Road come this summer.