I quit football at 24 to be a coach like my dad - now I'm one game from 'the pinnacle' with Man City

The Wilkinson surname is written into Leeds history, but it could be added to a prestigious group of Manchester City coaches to lift the FA Youth Cup instead this week.

It had to be Leeds standing in the way of Ben Wilkinson and the Youth Cup trophy - a title the City head coach describes as the 'pinnacle' of youth football. To get his hands on the biggest trophy in the country, he will have to get past the club where his dad is a club legend.

Wilkinson grew up in and around Elland Road and the Leeds training ground, relishing the chance to get in his seat at 2pm on a Saturday and watch the stadium fill up, seeing legendary players and managers on a regular basis.

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"I was desperate to be a footballer. But it was the intrigue," he says ahead of the biggest game of his coaching career. "Without the childhood experiences I had then maybe I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. But that was just what life was.

"As a young boy you’re going to Premier League games every weekend, watching top teams and being fortunate enough to be in the company of unbelievable people. And almost thinking it’s normal I guess.

"I look back on it now very fondly and feel grateful I had that experience. My dad counted the likes of Dave Bassett, Jim Smith, Trevor Francis, Sir Alex Ferguson as friends and peers. I’ll always remember being in the car, and you’d have that massive car phone [talking to them]. I’d be dialling the number sometimes. You just listen. Never say anything.

"When I got a little bit older you’d sneak into the