Now, though, former Leeds United captain Dominic Matteo is looking to make his mark a little closer to home.
Matteo has set up a soccer school in Leeds for boys and girls of all abilities aged 6 to 16.
The venture, which he has called Strikers Soccer School, is based at the Futsal football complex at the bottom of Churwell Hill.
And Matteo is hoping it could prove to be a breeding ground for a new generation of United stars.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “If I see a kid who I think is showing real promise, then Leeds United are going to be my first port of call.
“It’s not necessarily going to be the ones who show the most skill – I wasn’t the best footballer in my group when I was young.
“What I did was learn the basics, get fit and work hard and it all went from there. I want to give the kids the same sort of grounding I got.”
The courses at Strikers run for six weeks and will be held on Saturdays, with the first starting on February 23.
They cost £80 per person and each class will comprise of no more than 16 young players.
Matteo has assembled a team of fully-qualified coaches but will be taking some of the sessions himself.
For more details, visit: www.strikerssoccerschools.co.uk
Matteo joined Leeds from Liverpool in 2000 and made nearly 150 appearances for the Whites.
His most memorable moment in a United shirt – his headed goal in the San Siro against AC Milan – is still celebrated in a chant that has become a staple part of the Elland Road terrace songbook.