Lewie Coyle

Lewie Jacob Coyle (born 15 October 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays for League One side Fleetwood Town as a right back.

Career

Coyle started his footballing life at his boyhood club Leeds United and hit the headlines as a 10-year-old when he was involved in an alleged tapping-up scandal with Chelsea. Coyle's father alleged that he was offered £10,000 'in readies' and the promise of a new kitchen if his son were to attend a one-week trial with the Premier League champions. It was also claimed that Spanish giants Barcelona had made an offer for Coyle around the same time.

Coyle made his first start on 9 January 2016 against Rotherham United to help Leeds advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup in a 2–0 victory.

On 26 October 2016, Coyle picked up a knee injury in normal time against Norwich City in the English League Cup. His injury was after Leeds had used all their substitutes and saw Leeds down to 10 men for all of the 30 minutes of extra time; however Leeds managed to secure a penalty shootout victory after a 2–2 draw. On 3 November, despite being out injured, Coyle signed a new two-year extension deal at the club keeping him at the club until the end of the 2019 season.

On 9 January 2017, Coyle made his return from injury in Leeds' 2–1 FA Cup win against Cambridge United. On 13 January 2017, Coyle made his first start in the League of the 2016–17 season in a 1–0 win against Derby County to send Leeds third in the EFL Championship table. On 29 January 2017, Coyle gave away a costly penalty against Sutton United in the FA Cup. The penalty, converted by Jamie Collins, saw Leeds knocked out in a 1–0 defeat.

Fleetwood Town loan

On 4 July 2017, Coyle agreed a new three-year deal with Leeds United, running until 2020 and, the same day, went out on a season-long loan to League One side Fleetwood Town, for the 2017–18 season, linking up with one of his former Leeds head coaches, Uwe Rosler.

Coyle impressed early on for Fleetwood Town including receiving several man of the match awards in his first few games at Fleetwood Town. On 6 November 2017, Coyle received the first red card of his career after being sent off in Fleetwood's FA Cup 2-1 victory against Chorley F.C.. On 6 January 2018, Coyle also was part of the side who caused an FA Cup upset, earning a Replay after a 0-0 draw against Premier League opposition Leicester City. In January, with Leeds facing an injury and suspension crisis under then Head Coach Thomas Christiansen, Leeds considered recalling Coyle from his loan, but decided to not exercise the recall to ensure guaranteed run of games at Fleetwood.

In March 2018, Coyle received special praise from new Fleetwood Manager John Sheridan, citing him as a player who always gives 100% in training and during the matches and that Coyle was an example to the whole squad. On 24 March 2018, Coyle was nominated for both Fleetwood Town's Player Of The Year and Young Player Of The Year awards at their annual ceremony.

On 5 May 2018, Coyle won the Players’ Player of the Year Award and the fan voted Junior Cod Army Player of the Year Award.

Fleetwood Town loan (Second spell)

On 27 June 2018, Coyle was re-signed on loan by Fleetwood Town, on a 6-month loan deal by new manager Joey Barton. He made his second debut for the club on 4 August, starting in the 1-0 loss against A.F.C. Wimbledon. After impressing in his second spell at the club, and Leeds facing an injury crisis, on 14 December when asked if he felt that Coyle may return to Leeds in January, Manager Joey Barton described of Coyle 'for us he has been first class; he trains properly, he is willing to learn, open all ears and is keen on developing as a player. For me he is a pleasure to work with, someone who you would love at your football club'.

Coyle also saw Joey Barton convert him into a Central midfielder and left-back over the second half of the season, with Forward Wes Burns converted playing into Coyle's usual Right back slot. Joey Barton praised Coyle for his versatility and his performances in his new positions.

In total he made 45 appearances for Fleetwood in all competitions in his second spell at the club.

Fleetwood Town third spell

On 5 July 2019, Coyle signed for Fleetwood Town on a 6 month loan, making it his 3rd loan spell in a row at the club.

Fleetwood Town

Coyle signed a permanent contract with Fleetwood on 10 January 2020, the deal lasting three-and-a-half years.

Personal life

A sporting family, Coyle's eldest brother Tommy is a professional boxer and former Commonwealth lightweight champion. His younger brother Rocco is at Hull City in the Youth Academy after joining from Leeds United. His elder brother Joe is a professional golfer.

Honours

Individual

• Fleetwood Town Players’ Player of the Year Award: 2017–18,
• Fleetwood Town Junior Cod Army Player of the Year: 2017–18

Career statistics

As of match played 7 September 2019