[2][3] He later played in York's reserve team and was offered the chance to turn professional with the Third Division club in July 1985.

[1][2] Following an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Mike Astbury, Leaning made his first team debut in a 1–1 draw at Newport County on 6 November.

[7] Having made 86 appearances for York in all competitions, he was allowed to leave the club in 1987 and following a brief trial with Everton in May 1987, where he played one game in the reserves, he joined Second Division team Sheffield United on 28 May.

[2][5][8] He made 25 appearances in all competitions for United before signing for Third Division team Bristol City for a fee of £12,000 in November 1988, having initially joined on a month's loan on 27 September.

[11][14] Leaning was appointed goalkeeping coach at former club York City on a part-time basis on 8 July 2010.

[17][18] Leaning returned to York for a second spell as goalkeeping coach on 19 May 2015, working under manager Russ Wilcox.