Ayling - the best value 'flop' of all time?

Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds

For £200,000 from Bristol City in 2016, Luke Ayling must represent one of the finest buys in Leeds United's history.

His contribution, particularly under former head coach Marcelo Bielsa, was immense. He was a promotion winner as part of the Championship team of the year in 2019-20, scoring United's goal of the season with that stunning volley against Huddersfield Town, before the pandemic closed the campaign down.

After its resumption and conclusion, with Leeds back in the Premier League, he was crowned the EFL Championship Player of the Year, having fought off competition from Brentford's Ollie Watkins and Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham.

He pulled the shirt on 268 times, scored 11 goals, provided 21 assists and had more than 80 clean sheets and appearances as captain. His lung-bursting run to set up Pablo Hernandez' winner at Swansea City was the moment we all knew Leeds were going up, even before it was confirmed.

According to Opta statistics guru Jonny Cooper, external, since his United debut seven and half years ago, the right-back has won more fouls (351) than any other defender to play in the top two tiers of English football in that time.

So celebrated was the Ayling 'flop' - where he would draw a foul by collapsing to the ground after putting his body between man and ball, slowing down and leaving no other option other than for him to be bumped over - it became as big a feature for fans as Pablo Hernandez's propensity to 'meg' his opponent.

It was a unique trait of one of the club's most distinctive characters, who was mentioned in dispatches as a possibility for an England call-up.

But Ayling's contribution to Leeds United's recent history is so far away from just the numbers. Although nicknamed "Bill" - because that is what all the Arsenal academy players were called when he started his career - he was unique.

Not only did he turn his blood to water for the cause, he was never afraid to shirk responsibility off the pitch by speaking when times were rough as well as smooth. The bravery to do so, considering he has a stammer, endeared him to the supporters even more and inspired others who have speech impediments.

Ayling admits he originally shied away from interviews when he came to the club where he has found his voice in every respect. He leaves as a legend of the modern era.