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LEEDS United’s Under-23s won promotion and their divisional title on the low-key 4G of Aston Villa’s training ground on Friday night.

The players celebrated the best moment of their young lives so far like it was exactly that, only pausing for a huddle with their coach, Mark Jackson.

I wonder if his victory speech dared deflating the mood, to remind some of them that one day this might be the best moment of their old lives, too.

Like the FA Youth Cup wins of the 1990s, winning an Under-23s title is a moment of glory and tension, enjoyed by all while raising expectations.

UPROAR: Fans gather to protest outside Elland Road at the European Super League concept before Monday night's Premier League clash between Leeds United and Liverpool. Picture by Simon Hulme.

Leeds were the best team in their league this season, but this isn’t where the players want to be judged.

Joffy Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and the boys want first-team football and Premier League success, but who in football gets to have what they want?

Jackson can tell them his story.

A standout midfielder in Leeds’ youth team, he broke into the Premier League for a season under George Graham.

Then Graham bought David Hopkin, Alfie Haaland and Bruno Ribeiro, and that was that.

Jackson went to Scunthorpe.

Fans tend to romanticise young players, but fate is rarely kind, even to the best of them.

And after this weekend we can be justified wondering what sort of world these young flowers will grow up in, or what sort of league they’ll play in.

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