Mikele Leigertwood

Mikele Benjamin Leigertwood (born 12 November 1982) is a former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. Born in England, he represented the Antigua and Barbuda national team at international level. He is currently a first team coach at Reading.

Club career

Wimbledon

Born in Enfield, Leigertwood began his career with Wimbledon. After progressing through the ranks at Wimbledon, he was one of a number of youngsters called up to the first team by the manager Terry Burton in September 2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After his loan spell at Leyton Orient ended, he was given his first game for Wimbledon at the end of the 2001–02 season in a 1–0 defeat against Barnsley.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In November 2001, Leigertwood was loaned out to Leyton Orient and made his professional debut in a 3–0 win over Oxford United.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> His performances quickly led to the extension of his loan spell at Leyton Orient on two occasions.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood went on to make eight appearances for Leyton Orient before returning to his parent club.

At the start of the 2002–03 season, Leigertwood began to establish himself in the starting eleven for the side.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> However, it wasn't until 1 October 2002 that he scored his first goal for Wimbledon against Portsmouth in the League Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood continued to hold down a first team spot until he suffered injuries in early March.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While on the sidelines, he signed a contract extension that tied him to the club until 2006.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He returned from injury on 7 April 2003, starting a 1–0 win over Sheffield United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By the end of the 2002–03 season, Leigertwood had made thirty–three appearances, scoring once in all competitions.

At the start of the 2003–04 season, Wimbledon entered administration.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Up until his departure from the club, Leigertwood started every match in the first half of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 26 August 2003, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3–2 loss against Norwich City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and his second of the season on 25 October 200, in a 3–1 loss against Watford.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> When leaving Wimbledon, he had played 65 games, scoring three times.

Crystal Palace

He transferred to Crystal Palace for £155,000 in January 2004, becoming the first permanent signing of Iain Dowie.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Upon joining Crystal Palace, Leigertwood revealed he had turned down move to other clubs in order to join The Eagles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Leigertwood made his Crystal Palace debut as a late substitute in a 6–3 win over Stoke City on 14 February 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After making his debut, he played in 10 league games during the remainder of the 2003–04 season, helping Crystal Palace secure promotion to the FA Premier League after defeating West Ham United in the play-off final to win promotion to the Premiership.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref>

In the 2004–05 season, Leigertwood didn't make his first start of the season until 26 October 2004 in a 2–1 win over South London rivals, Charlton Athletic in the third round of the League Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following his first appearance of the season, Leigertwood began to enjoy a run of first team football.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> On 22 January 2005, he scored his first goal for the club against Tottenham Hotspur.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood spent the rest of the 2004–05 season playing in defence and midfield, but he was unsuccessful in helping to prevent Crystal Palace from being relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> By the end of the 2004–05 season, Leigertwood had made 23 appearances, scoring once.

In the 2005–06 season, Leigertwood continued to feature in the first team, playing four matches for the side.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> However, he was kept out by an ankle injury for two months.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> and did not return to first team action 22 November 2005, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 win over Coventry City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After making his return to the first team, Leigertwood held his place until he suffered a thigh injury in mid–January.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> After recovering from a thigh injury, Leigertwood retained his place for the rest of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Around this time, the club began negotiations with Leigertwood over a new contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, it was reported in the British newspaper that he had refused to sign.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2005–06 season, which saw Palace miss out on a return to the Premier League after losing 1–0 to Watford in the play-offs, Leigertwood went on to make thirty appearances in all competitions.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Shortly after the play-offs, he was offered a new contract by the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sheffield United

After Palace's relegation Crystal Palace, he joined Sheffield United on a three-year deal after the Blades paid a fee of £600,000. Although Leigertwood was out of contract, compensation was due as he was under 24 years of age at the time.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Leigertwood made his Sheffield United debut as a 75th-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool in the opening game of the season,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> quickly establishing himself a first team regular, until he suffered an ankle injury in early December.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 30 December 2006 when he made his return from injury, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute in a 1–0 win over Arsenal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His return was short–lived, however, when Leigertwood suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for months and was subsequently plagued with injuries later in the 2006–07 season.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League after losing 2–1 to Wigan Athletic in the last game of the season, making it the second time that Leigertwood had suffered relegation from the Premier League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By the end of the 2006–07 season, he had made nineteen appearances for the side.

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Leigertwood made four appearances, despite struggling to hold down a first team place since the club's relegation from the Premier League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="QPR complete Leigertwood transfer 2">Template:Cite news</ref>

Queens Park Rangers

Leigertwood joined Queens Park Rangers for a fee of £900,000 on 31 August 2007.<ref name="QPR complete Leigertwood transfer 2"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="QPR complete Leigertwood transfer">Template:Cite news</ref>

Leigertwood made his Queens Park Rangers debut the next day on 1 September 2007, starting a 3–0 loss against Southampton.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his first Queens Park Rangers goal in a 1–1 draw against Leicester City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A week later, on 22 September, Leigertwood was sent– ff in the 81st minute of a 1–1 draw against Watford for a second bookable offence.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood scored his second goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Hull City on 3 November 2007.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A month later, on 27 December 2007, he was sent off for the second time that season in the final minutes f a 2–1 loss against Plymouth Argyle,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as a result of which Leigertwood served a three match suspension.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He scored three more goals in the 2007–08 season, including a brace in a 3–0 win over Stoke City on 2 March 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood became a first team regular for the side, finishing his first season at the club with forty appearances and scoring five times in all competitions.

In the 2008–09 season, Leigertwood continued as a first team regular, playing either as right–back or in midfield.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood started the season well when he set up three goals in as many matches between 23 August 2008 and 14 September 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood received a red card and four match ban in a match against Birmingham City on 28 October 2008 for a challenge on Lee Carsley.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> His performance at Queens Park Rangers attracted interest in the January transfer window, when he was reportedly "wanted by three clubs ready to shell out a £1m-plus" for him.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 17 January 2009 when Leigterwood scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Derby County.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two months later on 17 March 2009, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 1–0 win over Swansea City.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> By the end of the 2008–09 season, Leigertwood had made forty–six appearances, scoring twice in all competitions.

In the 2009–10 season, Leigterwood started the season well when he scored his first goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Nottingham Forest on 23 August 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His second goal came on 26 September 2009 in a 5–2 win over Barnsley.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His 100th appearance for the club came on 30 October 2009 in a 2–1 loss against Leicester City.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He continued to regain his first team place for the side.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Leigterwood also captained the side in the number of matches in the absence of Martin Rowlands.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Leigterwood scored two goals in two matches on 19 December 2009 and 26 December 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Shortly after, he signed a three–year contract, keeping him at the club until 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In a 1–0 win over Peterborough United on 6 February 2010, he was sent off for a professional foul on Tommy Rowe.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two months later on 24 April 2010, Leigertwood scored his fifth goal of the season in a 1–0 win over Barnsley.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite missing several matches due to injury and suspension,<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> he went on to make forty–five appearances, scoring five times in all competitions.

In the 2010–11 season, Leigertwood found his playing time at Queens Park Rangers reduced and mostly came on as a substitute.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> As a result, he fell out of favour with Neil Warnock.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By the time of his departure, he had made nine appearances for the side in the 2010–11 season. During his time at Queens Park Rangers, he made 141 appearances and scored 12 goals.

Reading

Leigertwood being marked by Cardiff City's Aron Gunnarsson during the Cardiff City and Reading match on 2 January 2012.

Leigertwood went on loan to Reading for two months on 23 November 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 27 November 2010, he made his Reading debut, coming off in the 77th minute in a 0–0 draw against Leeds United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood quickly became a first team regular for the side.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> After a series of consistently good performances, this was extended to the end of the 2010–11 season.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his first goal for the club against Stevenage in the FA Cup on 29 January 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A week later Leigertwood added another goal to his tally with a 21st minute deflected strike against Cardiff City in a 2–2 draw.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the match, Leigertwood punched Michael Chopra "after a confrontation involving both sets of players, but immediately admitted his part in the melee" and served a three match suspension.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After serving his suspension, his performance earned him the Reading Post AHG Group-sponsored Player of the Month award for February.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He helped the side reach fifth place and qualify for the Championship play–offs.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood played all three matches in the Championship play–offs, as Reading lost 4–2 against Swansea City in the Championship play-off final.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Despite missing out several matches due to injury and suspension,<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> he went on to make twenty–nine appearances, scoring twice in all competitions.

In May 2011, it was announced that Reading had signed Leigertwood on a three-year contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis was the opening game of the season, a 2–2 draw against Millwall.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After joining the club on a permanent basis, he quickly established him in the starting eleven.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> However, his performances at the start of the season came under criticism from Reading supporters.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Despite this, Leigertwood's first goal of the 2011–12 season came at home to Southampton in a 1–1 draw on 22 October 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood started in every match until he suffered a thigh injury that saw him miss three matches.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> After returning to the first team from injury, he quickly regained his first team place for the side.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> His second goal of the campaign came at home to Leicester City in a 3–1 win, and this was followed up with strikes against Blackpool and West Ham United as Reading surged towards promotion with an incredible run of games of which Leigertwood was an important figure in.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> After returning from a knee injury, he returned to the starting line-up, where he key role Leigertwood had played was rewarded when he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest, which secured Reading's promotion back to the top flight after a four-year absence.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2011–12 season, he went on to make forty–two appearances, scoring five times in all competitions.

In the 2012–13 season, Leigertwood regained his first team place, with the club playing in the Premier League.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> In early–October, however, he suffered ankle injury that saw him sidelined for one match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After returning from injury, he scored his first Premier League goal for Reading in a 3–3 draw with Fulham with a superb strike from 20 yards on 27 October 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Three days later, on 30 October 2012, he scored his second goal for the club, in the League Cup campaign, as Reading lost 7–5 against Arsenal in a match in which Arsenal were 4–0 down before coming back to win 7–5 after extra-time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After being sidelined in early–2013 due to injury, Leigterwood then captained the side for the first time and scored his third goal of the season, in a 4–0 win over Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He continued to be in the starting line-up until he was dropped from the first team for the rest of the 2012–13 season, as Leigterwood went on to make thirty–four appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Metro named Leigertwood among the Premier League's worst XI of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Prior to the 2013–14 season, Leigertwood suffered an ankle injury during pre–season, having been under the knife since May.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In September 2013, he returned to training after recovering from the ankle injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Upon returning to training from injury, Leigterwood's return was praised by Manager Nigel Adkins.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, his return was short–lived and his injury plagued was plagued throughout 2013 and early 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> By March, Leigterwood returned to training.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After a year out injured, Leigertwood made his Reading return on 8 April 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the follow–up match, however, he came on as a substitute for Danny Williams in the 61st minute but was sent off for a second bookable offence in a 1–1 draw against Leicester City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After missing out two matches, Leigertwood went on to play the final two matches for the side.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> By the end of the 2013–14 season, Leigertwood had made four appearances for the side.

On 6 May 2014, Leigertwood was released from Reading, along with five other players <ref name="5 released">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in July joined Nottingham Forest on trial.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Whilst on trial, Leigertwood sustained a hip injury which forced him to retire from the game,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> although this was not officially confirmed until the following year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

International career

Leigertwood is eligible to represent Antigua and Barbuda. Willie Donachie, Antigua and Barbuda's manager, tried to bring Leigertwood into the squad for a World Cup qualifier in June 2008, but the player had a wedding to attend.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was also eligible to represent Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

While serving a four match ban after receiving a red card against Birmingham City on 28 October 2008, he accepted a call up for the 2008 Caribbean Championship to represent Antigua and Barbuda.Template:Citation needed He made his international debut on 5 November 2008 in a 3–2 loss against Trinidad and Tobago and scored his first goal in their next match against Guyana.Template:Citation needed In November 2010, he returned to the national team and participated in the second stage of the 2010 Caribbean Championship, playing in all three matches.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Post–playing career

After retiring from professional football, Leigertwood took up a coaching role at Maccabi London Lions as their Sunday Team Coach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 19 July 2016 Leigertwood returned to Reading as Academy Loan Manager.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 13 December 2024 Leigertwood became a first team coach at Reading. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal life

In March 2010, Leigertwood was involved in Kick It Out's latest campaign, which aimed to raise awareness of homophobia in football.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During his time at Reading, he became the Royals' 'Reading Stars' ambassador.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Growing up, he supported Arsenal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Leigertwood is good friends with Jobi McAnuff, the two having known each other since school and been teammates at Wimbledon, Crystal Palace and Reading.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He has two children.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref>

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Wimbledon	2001–02<ref name="MK Dons 2001/2002 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Division One	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2002–03<ref name="MK Dons 2002/2003 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Division One	28	0	2	0	3	1	—		33	1
	2003–04<ref name="MK Dons 2003/2004 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Division One	27	2	3	0	1	0	—		31	2
	Total		56	2	5	0	4	1	—		65	3
Leyton Orient (loan)	2001–02<ref name="Leyton Orient 2001/2002 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Division Three	8	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
Crystal Palace	2003–04<ref name="C Palace 2003/2004 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Division One	12	0	0	0	0	0	3Template:Efn	0	15	0
	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Premier League	20	1	1	0	2	0	—		23	1
	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Championship	27	0	1	0	1	0	1Template:Efn	0	30	0
	Total		59	1	2	0	3	0	4	0	68	1
Sheffield United	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Premier League	19	0	0	0	0	0	—		19	0
	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Championship	2	0	0	0	2	0	—		4	0
	Total		21	0	0	0	2	0	—		23	0
Queens Park Rangers	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Championship	40	5	0	0	0	0	—		40	5
	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Championship	42	2	2	0	2	0	—		46	2
	2009–10<ref name="QPR 2009/2010 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Championship	40	5	2	0	3	0	—		45	5
	2010–11<ref name="QPR 2010/2011 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Championship	9	0	0	0	1	0	—		10	0
	Total		131	12	4	0	6	0	—		141	12
Reading	2010–11Template:Efn<ref name="Reading 2010/2011 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Championship	22	1	4	1	0	0	3Template:Efn	0	29	2
	2011–12<ref name="Reading 2011/2012 player appearances">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Championship	41	5	1	0	0	0	—		42	5
	2012–13<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Premier League	30	1	2	1	2	1	—		34	3
	2013–14<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Championship	4	0	0	0	0	0	—		4	0
	Total		97	7	7	2	2	1	3	0	109	10
Career total			372	22	20	2	17	2	7	0	416	26

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Antigua and Barbuda<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2008	3	1
	2009	0	0
	2010	3	0
	2011	3	0
	2012	2	0
Total		11	1

Scores and results list Antigua and Barbuda's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Leigertwood goal.

List of international goals scored by Mikele Leigertwood

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	7 November 2008	Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago	Template:Fb	1–0	2-1	2008 Caribbean Championship

Manager

Template:Updated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	From	To	Record
			Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr
Antigua and Barbuda	20 March 2021	Present
Total

Honours

Crystal Palace

• Football League First Division play-offs: 2004

Queens Park Rangers

• Football League Championship: 2010–11

Reading

• Football League Championship: 2011–12

External links

• Official profile at Reading FC
• Template:Soccerbase
• International Statistics at CaribbeanFootballDatabase