The Rise And Fall of Leeds United

Leeds United A.F.C. was founded in 1919 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club's home “Elland Road” stadium and their fans seen the club win the FA cup in 1972 where they beat the cup holders Arsenal 1-0 in Wembley, London by a solitary goal by Allan Clarke which bettered their league Cup victory in 1986. They twice clinched the FA Charity Shield in 1969 & 1992 respectively. The youth team have also had their share of the celebration when they won the FA Youth Cup on two occasions (1993,1997) .

 

The 2000-01 team was at its best when they beat 1860 Munich, 3-1 on aggregate to qualify for the Champions league where they were placed with seven time winners AC Milan, Barcelona and Beşiktaş (Milan and Barca being the favorites to qualify from the group stages). 

This young Leeds United squad with Coach David O'Leary had the class to beat any top club at its given form. The squad consisted of talented individuals like England No.2 Nigel Martyn who some might argue was better than David Seaman of Arsenal , the back four of Rio Ferdinand , Ian Harte , Danny Mills and Jonathan Woodgate, mid-fielders like Eirik Bakke, the great David Batty , Lee Bowyer and Olivier Dacourt and the in form Austrailian duo of Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell . Leeds United had not only pitch power but also the bench strength which consisted of Robbie Keane, Alan Smith , Michael Duberry and Michael Bridges who could spring into action and get the job done for David O'Leary.

 

The Champions League campaign for Leeds got off to the worst possible start, where they were thrashed by Barcelona 4-0 at the Camp Nou. On match day two they had a face-off with the mighty AC Milan where a solitary goal by Lee Bowyer was enough to take all 3 points. After beating Milan on home soil, Leeds faced Turkish club Beşiktaş. This was Leeds second home draw of the campaign where Lee Bowyer scored twice in an emphatic 6-0 over the Turkish side. Leeds were growing in confidence with 6 points in 3 matches but they had already played their two home matches. Match Day Four seen them fight for a goalless draw against Beşiktaş which was their first away point of the season. After the disappointing 4-0 loss at the Camp Nou, David O'Leary and Leeds UTD were eager to face Barcelona at home turf. The inform Lee Bowyer strikes early for Leeds but a injury time equalizer by the Brazilian Rivaldo would spoil the celebration at Elland Road. Eight points in the bag, Leeds just needed a draw to qualify second group stages of the Champions League. A Dominic Matteo header ensured a draw in Milan and for the first time the clubs history, Leeds UTD had gone passed the group stages after finishing second narrowly beating Barcelona to qualify for the second group stages. The Group H table sight was a good sight for the Leeds United faithful and the team.

 

If the 1st group stage had Milan and Barcelona, Leeds had another daunting task ahead of them. They were grouped alongside the 9 time champions Real Madrid and Italian giants Lazio. 

 

Match Day One seen them face the defending champions Real Madrid at home. A disappointed Leeds lost 2-0 at home but a solitary goal by Alan Smith seized the 3 points against Lazio in Rome. With Anderlecht and Leeds on 3 points it was a must win situation for Leeds as they were playing at home. Things dint look bright for Leeds as Alin Stoica put Anderlecht up 1-0 , but a 30-yard free-kick from Ian Harte brought them on level terms and then a Lee Bowyer spectacular sealed he win for Leeds four minutes before full time. In the return leg Anderlecht were waiting to seek revenge for their defeat but Leeds had other ideas. An Alan Smith double set the pace for a 4-1 victory over Anderlecht. With 9 points from 6 matches Leeds were on their way to the semi-fnials of the Champions league for the very first time. Only a point from the other 2 matches was enough for them to seal the place with a 3-2 defeat of the hands of Real Madrid and a 3-3 home draw against Lazio, Leeds United were on their way to an epic journey.

 

Their semi-finals opponents were last time runners up Valencia. Leeds United were on top of he world but everything seems blurred when they were held to a goalless draw at home and then were beaten but a Sánchez double and when Mendieta made it 3-0 there was no way back for Leeds. To put salt on injuries Alan Smith was sent off in the dying minutes. This was the was highest point Leeds United not only for their team but also for their fans but this dream soon turned into nightmare when chairman Peter Ridsdale had taken loans against the prospect of the share of the TV rights and sponsorship revenues that come with UEFA Champions League qualification and any subsequent progress in the competition. Leeds failed to qualify for the Champions League and hence could not repay the loans. Leeds inspirational defender Rio Ferdinand was on sale and Manchester United bought the defender for £30 million.

 

The situation got bad to worse as Terry Venables replaced David O'Leary as the Leeds United coach. Jonathan Woodgate was also sold and as the tension between Peter Ridsdale and Terry Venables also affected the club as Venables was also sacked. At this point of time Leeds were struggling and were on the verge of relegation but new coach Peter Reid but his reign was short lived when he as fired during the 2003–04 season. The Scottish Eddie Gray took over as caretaker manager. With half of the original Leeds squad being, sold to other clubs the new manager Kevin Blackwell had very less option and after 14 years in the top flight Leeds United were relegated. To pay off the Elland Road stadium & debts the training ground was sold for £4.2 million. The club was eventually sold for £10 million to businessman Ken Bates who was a major shareholder of Chelsea F.C. from 1982 to 2004. Currently Leeds United are in Football League One but with the likes of Fabian Delph who also plays for the England U19/U21 Leeds United will once again rise and stay where they belong.