DAVID BATTY has essentially been living off the grid since his retirement from football.
So much so that several of his former team-mates struggle to get a hold of him.
Batty hung up his boots in 2004 after a 17-year-long career, in which he racked up 438 appearances.
Several of the former England midfielder’s old Leeds United team-mates wished him a happy birthday in their group chat last month.
But there was no response from the 57-year-old, whose silence didn’t stun ex-White striker Mark Viduka.
The Aussie told The BBC: “I don’t think anyone has seen him since we played together.
“Everyone was wishing him happy birthday – but he’s not even in the group.”
Many former pros often go down the coaching or punditry route after calling it a day.
But neither of those options were ever realistic for Batty, according to his agent Hayden Evans.
He said: “It was clear from day one that he would never go into coaching, for example, and never seek that as a route back into football.
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“David has been as good as his word, which is him through and through.
“He always said, ‘When I retire, that will be it. I won’t have anything to do with the football industry.’”
Batty is so much of a hermit that he even snubs reunions with his old team-mates.
Former Blackburn team-mate Mark Atkins said: “We have tried to get him to the dos we have had, but nobody can get hold of him.
“He’s not that type of person. Even if he was living five miles away, he wouldn’t turn up because he’s a very personal guy, really.”
Batty’s reclusiveness doesn’t come as a surprise to Viduka, who himself has stayed out of the limelight since his own retirement in 2009.
He said: “In this day and age, everyone shows off everything they do in every moment, like what they had for breakfast. Who cares.
“If anyone was not going to be like that, it was Batts.”
I don’t think anyone has seen him since we played together.”
Mark Viduka on David batty
Batty is happy as Larry being out of the public eye and spending time with his family.
“He was then and is now a dedicated family man,” Evan said. “He’s very happy in his life as he sits right now.
“He’s doing all the things he wants to do and none of the things he doesn’t want to do.
“It suits him down to the ground.”
Batty’s former clubs Leeds and Newcastle United played out a thriller at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
The Magpies ran out 4-3 winners thanks to a 102nd winner from Harvey Barnes.
