Leeds United hero Luke Ayling's emotional message after Middlesbrough play-off heartbreak | OneFootball

Leeds United promotion hero Luke Ayling says he rediscovered his love for the game this season despite Middlesbrough’s play-off heartbreak. In a post on Instagram he said he was gutted by Wembley, thanked supporters and backed the group to fight for promotion.

Boro’s campaign was extraordinary. They lost their semi-final to Southampton, then were reinstated after the Saints were found guilty of spying on opponents and expelled days before a planned Wembley meeting with Hull City.

Ayling’s side instead reached the final, where the former Leeds defender faced out-on-loan Whites forward Joe Gelhardt. Gelhardt is now celebrating promotion after an added-time winner from Oli McBurnie, while Boro became the first to lose a Championship semi-final and final.

Ayling was central across 2025/26, playing 40 of 46 regular-season matches and all three play-off ties. His 43 league appearances were his most in a single campaign since 2014/15 with Bristol City.

The 34-year-old has completed his second full season at the Riverside after signing permanently in summer 2024, following a loan in 2023/24. It ended an eight-year stint at Elland Road.

He won the 2019/20 title after earlier play-off defeat to Derby under Marcelo Bielsa, then played all 38 games as Leeds finished ninth and stayed a regular across three Premier League seasons. He later fell out of favour under Daniel Farke but remains cherished at Elland Road with 268 appearances.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk