Former Leeds United midfielder Jonny Howson has praised three Leeds United captains during his time at Elland Road. After coming through the ranks at the Whites, he made his first-team debut in the League Cup against Barnet in September 2006.
Howson would go on to make a further 11 appearances for Leeds during his maiden season a senior professional, before cementing his place as a regular in the side. The Whites' relegation to League One certainly helped Howson's chances of getting first-team minutes and this became a theme throughout their time in the third division.
At the beginning of Leeds' third campaign in League One, Howson was appointed the new Whites vice-captain and due to the absence of club captain Richard Naylor took the captaincy for the start of the season. It was a role that Howson flourished in as he guided the Leeds to promotion back to the Championship.
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Although Howson left the Whites in 2012 to join Norwich City, he still speaks fondly about his time at his boyhood club. It was a major learning curve for the now Middlesbrough midfielder and he has outlined the three captains who helped him the most at the start of his career.
"When I was coming through (at Leeds), Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Richard Naylor all stand out," Howson told Teeside Live when quizzed on his best captains.
"But it's not just when you're younger. Even now, I know I'm the captain but the likes of Sol Bamba, you talk to them and pick up different things. You watch them day in, day out. Even though I am this age, you're always learning. You can always pick up bits and I think I'll always be like that right to the end."
In total, Howson made 225 appearances for the Whites and scored 28 goals. He also won a number of individual awards during his time in West Yorkshire, before he would go on to have an established career in the Championship and the Premier League with Norwich and Boro.
