LEEDS head coach Dave Hockaday will be reminded of his Teesside roots when he takes charge of his first Championship game at Elland Road this lunchtime.

Middlesbrough travel to West Yorkshire for the televised encounter, rekindling memories of the days when Hockaday would watch Boro as a teenager.

Having been born in Sedgefield, Hockaday was raised close to Billingham and was a youth player for Billingham Synthonia before entering the professional ranks with Swindon Town.

He classes himself as a Synners fan, but used to head to Ayresome Park when he wanted to watch a league game during his youth.

“I was a fan of Billingham Synthonia and played for them at the tender age of 15,” said Hockaday. “It feels like about three lifetimes ago.

“But if I wanted to watch one of the big teams, it would be Middlesbrough. I would pop over the river because it was only four miles from my house to Middlesbrough.

“They were my hometown club, really. I would watch John Hickton and David Chadwick, players like that. I do look for their results because they are one of the few teams who I feel an affinity to.

“Things have changed since those days massively, but they are the form team in the league going back to last season, and we need to be on our mettle. It will be as stern a challenge as we will face this season at home.”

Ben Gibson will not be involved in today’s game after damaging his hamstring in the opening game of the season, but the 21-year-old has still been busy this week, signing a new five-year deal that commits him to the Riverside until 2019.

“I’ve made no secret about how much I love the club,” said Gibson. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here from the first time I walked in when I was ten years old.

“It’s been the club I’ve supported and the one I’ve ended up playing for. To sign such a long contract shows the gaffer’s trust in me and the club’s trust in me.

“I was lucky enough to play last year, and now I want to kick on. I don’t just want to play for this club – I want to play for this club in the Premier League. That’s where we want to be, and where we need to be. Hopefully, that’s something we can achieve to make the five years even more enjoyable.”