DOWN AMONG THE DEADMEN

Part 1: Kevin Blackwell - So near and yet so far 2004-06

Part 2: Dennis Wise - An Unwise move 2006-07

Part 3: Gary McAllister - Return of the Mac 2007-08

Part 1: Kevin Blackwell - So near and yet so far 2004-06

2004-2005:

Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Kevin Blackwell: Born 21-12-58 at Luton, had a journeyman career as a goalkeeper with several clubs but never rose to any great heights, in fact he was, in reality, a failure to put it nicely. His career was as follows: 1986-89: Scarborough, where he played forty-four games. 1989-93: Notts County, where he never played a game. 1993-93:Torquay United, where he had eighteen games. 1993-95:Huddersfield Town five appearances. 1995-97: Plymouth Argyle where he played twenty-four games before retiring.

Blackwell worked hard to gain the UEFA 'A' coaching badge and successfully complete the UEFA 'A' goalkeeping course. He was thought to be the first to gain two UEFA 'A' badges in England. He took advantage of what the FA had to offer and gained invaluable experience and it cemented his ideas and helped him structure his sessions better.

He became Sheffield United Coach under Neil Warnock and was accredited with making them a fitter and more mobile squad and brought on several young players. Leeds boss Peter Reid gave Blackwell his big chance after being impressed with the way he helped Sheffield United reach the First Division play-off final and the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Worthington Cup. The approach from Reid came as a big surprise to Blackwell, as he didn't know Peter Reid and had no connection with him or Leeds United in any way shape or form. He was thought to have been head-hunted, and Reid spoke to quite a few managers and players and who all endorsed Blackwell's ability. He was coach to Reid and then Eddie Gray, before taking over for the last game in the EPL at Chelsea. With a possible takeover of the club, he was embarrassingly made to wait before being appointed Manager on the same day as Alan Smith left for Manchester United!

Considering the clubs financial situation and the consequences of relegation, it came as no surprise that wholesale changes were made to the Elland Road Playing Staff and other football related positions. Gone were the Loan Players: Pennant, Caldwell, Domi, Camara, Sakho, Roque Junior, Olembe, and Chapuis. David Batty retired. Michael Bridges went to Bolton Wanderers, Jason Wilcox to Leicester City, Stephen McPhail to Barnsley, Nick Barmby to Hull City, Dominic Matteo to Blackburn Rovers, Ian Harte to Levante, and Danny Mills to Manchester City, all departing on Free Transfers and Paul Robinson went to Tottenham Hotspur for £1.5 million, Alan Smith crossed the Pennines to Manchester United for £6 million, James Milner went to Newcastle United for £3.5 million, and Mark Viduka departed to Middlesbrough for £4.5million, but in several cases there were hefty settlements to players,who were paid over a period of time.

It could be said that, Juniors apart, Gary Kelly, Michael Duberry, the injured Eirik Bakke, Seth Johnson and Lucas Radebe, and fringe players Matthew Kilgallon, Aaron Lennon, Frazer Richardson, Jamie McMaster, Harpal Singh, Andy Keogh, Simon Johnson, Simon Walton and Martin Woods were at Kevin Blackwell's disposal as the new season commenced.

In came Danny Pugh from Manchester United, Michael Ricketts from Middlesbrough, Jermaine Wright from Ipswich Town, Julian Joachim from Coventry City, Danny Cadamarteri from Bradford City, Paul Butler from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Clarke Carlisle from Queens Park Rangers, Matthew Spring from Luton Town, Neil Sullivan from Chelsea, all arriving on Free Transfers, while Brian Deane, Craig Hignett, Steve Guppy and others came as unattached players. Stephen Crainey came initially on loan from Southampton before United paid a fee of £200,000 for his services. There was a regular stream of players, coming on trial, such as Mark Kinsella, Chris Bart-Williams and Keith Gillespie, but all were ultimately not offered a contract. This would be a regular feature of life at Elland Road in the Coca Cola Championship League and there was also a long succession of players coming in and out on loan.

It therefore, came as no surprise when United fielded seven debutants for the first game in the CCCL against Derby County and this would balloon to twenty-six before the end of the season. This did not include Brian Deane who had already debuted in 1993! So it was that United lined up as Sullivan; Kelly, Duberry, Butler, Kilgallon; Richardson, Wright,Walton, Pugh; Ricketts, Joachim. Radebe came on for Walton, and Deane for Ricketts, while Carson, Crainey and Guppy remained unused on the bench.

Danny Pugh became an instant hit with the fans with a great effort on debut and there were strong games from Walton, Joachim, Sullivan and Richardson, who got the only goal of the game on seventy-two minutes in a hard won victory. Considering that the team had been stitched together in a very short period of time it was an excellent performance against reasonably strong opposition and, apart from rustiness, United played as a unit and looked well drilled, well organized and worked hard for a deserved win.

Butler and Duberry were solid in central defence. Kelly was back to his form of a few years back, while Matthew Kilgallon impressed with his ability to adapt to being played out of position at left back. Behind the defence Sullivan showed that he was probably the best keeper outside of the EPL and Scott Carson must have wondered how long he would have to wait before next featuring in the first eleven. Ricketts caused Derby problems and had several good touches but looked a little out of practice, and it was he who released the impressive Joachim, who set up Frazer Richardson for the winner.

However, it was in midfield where United were strongest, Danny Pugh covered more ground than anyone on the park and was a constant menace down the left flank, while Frazer Richardson did the same on the right and it was fitting that he should be rewarded for his efforts with a superb strike. Wright prodded and probed, while Walton put his height to good effect and generally put his foot in where others did not dare. Considering he was a central defender, he linked up play well and was not frightened to get forward. He tired a little in the closing stages and the evergreen Lucas Radebe substituted on 65 minutes.

Pugh was unlucky twice, Joachim was denied by the keeper but Duberry headed over a fine cross from Wright and Butler volley over from close range. Sullivan had done his job quietly and efficiently even if semi-redundant, but he had to earn his wages in the last minute with a blinding save, as Derby made a last effort to salvage a point. It was early days, but a new chapter had started and it appeared that United could make their presence felt in their new surroundings.

United were unchanged for their first away fixture in the CCCL at Gillingham and again it was Danny Pugh who won the accolades with good support from Sullivan, Kelly and Richardson, but United were given a rude awakening to life on the road in the CCCL with a visit to the Priestfield Stadium which was packed to capacity, albeit with less than 11,000 fans. Gillingham were strong and were willing to fight for everything and what they lacked in skill they made up in effort and honest endeavour. Leeds did show a willingness to match the home team at their own game and enjoyed plenty of possession but after conceding two sloppy early goals they could never recover.

United were rocked by a fortunate strike after only four minutes, when a twenty yard shot from Byfield hit Wright and was deflected out of Sullivan's reach. This was the cue for some sustained Gillingham pressure and the United defence came under attack, not to mention some off the ball niggles. Kilgallon was left clutching his face after Roberts appeared to stick out an arm and Walton was wound up by the experienced Hassenthaler, who came on half way through the first half.

Kilgallon went close for United and forced the keeper to a spectacular save as United assumed the ascendancy. While they were still in with a chance at 1-0 they had too big a mountain to climb after they conceded a silly goal just before half time. There was a lapse of concentration as a throw in was helped on by a chip and the unmarked Agymang pulled the ball back to Roberts, whose shot hit Butler before going in off the post.

After seeming unsettled at the start of the second half, it was to United's credit that they carried on the fight. They were rewarded with Pugh's eightieth minute strike, after substitute Steve Guppy's cross drive could only be parried by the keeper and Pugh was on hand to steer home the rebound. This saw United pressing for an equalizer but they had left it too late. They finished the game in thirteenth place.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were the next opponents at Molineux and were expected to provide United with stiff opposition, as one of the likely promotion candidates. There was a debut for Stephen Crainey at left back in place of Matthew Kilgallon, while evergreen stalwart Lucas Radebe replaced the young Simon Walton in midfield and Brian Deane was given a first start since his return, in place of Julian Joachim as striker. Walton and Joachim dropped to the bench. United were struck a double blow to their already paper thin squad when Duberry was sent off and faced a three match suspension and Lucas Radebe was stretchered off and out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles.

While Radebe's absence was pure bad luck, Duberry's was self inflicted as, after previously being yellow carded for an off the ball infringement with Miller, on the report of a linesman, he was also guilty of leaving a trailing leg, after Miller had got the wrong side of him, and thereferee quickly produce the red card and pointed immediately to the penalty spot with just five minutes to go. This gave Wolves the chance to take full points, but Sullivan crowned a fine individual performance by saving the ensuing kick with a superb save to keep honours even. Sullivan had performed well throughout and although rarely troubled by a strangely tame Wolverhampton attack he was called upon to make two valuable blocks before the penalty save.

Leeds were not much more adventuresome but their defensive efforts, with Butler outstanding against his former club, merited at least a point. United went to Wolverhampton with a team devised to frustrate the home team and this was accomplished with their second clean sheet in three games. Apart from the penalty, United had finished strongly and had three chances to settle the game. Frazer Richardson sent a shot wide after some good approach play and then blazed over as he cut in from the right, before finally right on time Deane sent in a looping header which was goal-bound until cleared off the line by a defender. A draw was a fair result and United remained in thirteenth spot.

There was talk of a Casino being built at Elland Road. With pending changes in the gaming laws. United were one of several clubs who were looking into the possibilities of a new revenue stream. Talks of an American based casino giant taking over the club for £29 million were immediately dismissed by the club.

There was news of the signing of Cameroon international Serge Branco from Stuttgart as United hosted Nottingham Forest. Steve Guppy was given his run on debut in place of the injured Radebe, with Clarke Carlisle also debuting in place of the suspended Duberry, while up front Joachim replaced Ricketts as Deane's strike partner.

United were robbed of a deserved victory as the inexperienced referee awarded Forest a penalty for an obstruction by Guppy on Evans, which the Forest midfielder milked as a penalty, with an exaggerated dive. For much of the contest United had outplayed Forest and created enough chances to have won this game convincingly. United had seventeen shots on goal. Deane, who won everything in the air and had a tremendous game, was unlucky when his downward header bounced over the bar. Joachim's pace worried Forest but, while once unlucky, he should have scored on another occasion but he continued to work hard and would have deserved to open his account on this showing.

Kelly, who kept Forest danger man Andy Reid on a short leash and Crainey who had a fine game at left back stood out for United. Clarke Carlisle had a fine debut and he and Butler were solid in central defence. Guppy's arrival gave Wright a chance to enjoy more freedom in midfield and with Pugh as busy as ever. United dominated the midfield, while Richardson again worked hard Guppy and Crainey linked up well. Crainey did well on the attack and twice scraped the woodwork firstly with a header and then with one of his fine free-kicks.

Pugh missed out with a good header, as did Frazer Richardson with a left-foot curler. Steve Guppy, who was desperate to win a permanent contract, did his chances no harm with a good display, capped off with an excellent header to out-jump the Forest defence at the far post, and convert Frazer Richardson's cross after twenty-five minutes. United didn't sit back but continued to take the game to Forest and were denied on many occasions, while at the other end Sullivan made a couple of stops as Forest made a late rally. United always looked like winners but Evans ran into Guppy in the area and Andy Reid converted despite a valiant attempt from Sullivan, who dived the right way. From that point on Forest retreated into defence and spent the last twelve minutes defending desperately to keep out the all out attack coming from United. The sides remained locked at 1-1 and it was two points lost rather than one gained from United's point of view and they eased up to twelfth place.

Neighbours Huddersfield Town provided the opposition for the First Round League Cup tie at Elland Road and Ricketts was given a chance up front in place of Deane. There was a quality display in central defence from Clarke Carlisle as Huddersfield's Terriers gallantly gave their all in an entertaining and fiercely contested local derby. The defence was the foundation for United's narrow victory with Carlisle and Butler dominant in central defence as were Kelly and Crainey at fullback.

Huddersfield battled hard and enthusiastically but they never looked like breaching the brick wall Leeds defence, as United kept their third clean sheet in five games. Town were much livelier than United but the home team seemed happy to dig in and protect their lead. It would have been nice to see United as more of an attacking unit and neither Ricketts nor Joachim had yet opened his account. Ricketts had a strong tussle with the Town defence and emerged on top and it was he who headed against the Town crossbar before Danny Pugh pounced to force the ball home for the winner after twenty-three minutes. Joachim did not have the same opportunities to shine but his effort deserved more reward than he was presently getting.

Huddersfield had arrived with a defensive plan aimed at frustrating the home side and, apart from an early header, it was half an hour before they emerged as an attacking force. Pugh had already put United ahead and Frazer Richardson had gone close to doubling the lead.

Huddersfield did have some chances, as a header hit the woodwork and Brandon twice found himself in space but wasted the chances and it wasn't until the seventy-first minute that Sullivan was called into serious action, when he reacted quickly to deny Brandon after a defensive error. This brought on Jamie McMaster for Guppy and he made a big impression with a lively display for the last twenty minutes. He almost scored with his first touch, when he forced the keeper to save at full stretch with a pile driver from twenty yards. He continued to taunt and torment and gave Blackwell food for thought but United never really looked like conceding a goal despite four minutes injury time and United progressed safely into the Second Round.

Duberry replaced Carlisle and Ricketts dropped back to midfield to replace Guppy with Deane taking his place as striker alongside Joachim, as United visited Blackwell's former team, Sheffield United, at Bramall Lane. There was no happy return for him as his team was out-thought and out-manoeuvred by Neil Warnock's Sheffield United.

It was a clear indication that Leeds are desperately short of quality players in their squad, with Danny Pugh, Frazer Richardson and Jermaine Wright playing in the midfield engine room and all trying to adapt to playing in an unfamiliar position. On the flanks Ricketts was asked to play wide right and Joachim wide left with Deane left to plough a lone furrow up front. Wright was not accustomed to, or suited to, the holding role in midfield and was much better in his usual role of feeding the strikers and if a good holding player was found it would allow Pugh and Richardson more freedom to express themselves. It would also allow Blackwell to rotate his other young talent such as Aaron Lennon, Simon Walton and Jamie McMaster and give them more opportunities to gain the necessary experience.

Leeds created absolutely nothing at all but for a long time it looked as though Butler and his defence were going to keep another clean sheet and secure a valuable point. It would be unwise to assume that Sullivan and the defence could work miracles every game and when they dipped in this game the Blades were handed the game on a platter.

Duberry was singled out by a section of the travelling fans early in the game and his confidence wilted noticeably. His early booking did not help either and he had a tough afternoon. It turned out to be another Bramall Lane horror show reminiscent of the double Cup exit of just over a season previous and this defeat was just as disappointing.

Sheffield had the better of the first half but only created a handful of decent chances which Leeds dealt with quite comfortably and Sullivan was not seriously extended. Ricketts failed to pick a superbly timed run from Pugh and selfishly opted to shoot instead, while Richardson worked an opening but fired narrowly over the bar. Sheffield finally got the goal they needed just five minutes into the second half. Leeds lost possession and Tonge fed a lovely ball to Ward for the striker to score. It was the end for Leeds as they only came to defend and after Sullivan had made a fingertip save, he was beaten for a second time as Harley curled a free-kick over the wall and past the keeper.

United's only further chance fell to the hapless Duberry who managed to hit the woodwork from just three yards out with twelve minutes to go. The final whistle was sweet relief to Leeds and a dejected team trooped off after suffering their second loss of the season. It was a poor disappointing performance and unless a spark was added it would be mid-table mediocrity or worse rather than being in the chasing pack, as they slumped further to be in sixteenth position.

There had been talk that Blackwell was hot on the trail of Sean Gregan, the West Bromwich Albion holding midfielder, but Leeds were only interested in a loan or free-transfer, whereas the vendors were looking for a substantial fee.

Former Manager Peter Reid brought his new charges, Coventry City, to play his former deputy's Leeds United and it was the apprentice who triumphed over the master and the new boss over the old boss. To be truthful United cruised past Coventry with alarming ease. Clarke Carlisle was back for the out of sorts Duberry and Simon Walton took over from Ricketts in a reshuffled midfield. Blackwell reverted to 4-4-2 and the result was there for all to see. Granted Coventry were not in the same class as Sheffield United but Blackwell's tactics were good enough to beat his former boss this game, if not in the previous one.

Clarke Carlisle stood out for United and each member of the defence was in top form and easily snuffed out the much vaunted Coventry attack. The midfield also played well with Wright, who had a hand in all three goals, and Pugh particularly outstanding. There was plenty of effort up front and it was good to see Joachim finally getting on the score sheet. United won the battle by working hard for each other, biding their time and finishing with a flourish with Coventry running up the white flag long before the final whistle. It wasn't a pretty game to watch but United stuck to their task and, with a renewed steadiness in front of goal, showed that in this form they were more than a match for the supposed better teams in the division.

The cornerstone for the victory was a strong uncompromising defence, a hard working midfield and a good display of natural instincts in front of goal. Leeds were guilty of a couple of early misses but their domination and determination paid dividends just before the break, when a free-kick by Jermaine Wright was met at the far post by Clarke Carlisle who scored with a looping header. His defensive prowess and a well taken goal fully vindicated his recall and could be contrasted to the fortunes of the hapless Duberry who was again the target of the boo-boys as he warmed up on the touchline.

Even Peter Reid was given a standing ovation by the fans as he emerged from the tunnel to take his place in the dugout. It was the only solace he got all afternoon except when he saw his team hit the woodwork and then just after half-time force a diving save from the dependable Neil Sullivan. United and Joachim were rewarded for their endeavours twenty minutes from time, when he was on hand to score from close range after the keeper couldn't hold Wright's strong header. Coventry full back Carey got his marching orders for a second yellow card for a foul on Pugh, who had tormented him all afternoon. The scoring was rounded off just on time when Wright's shot could not be held by the keeper and the impressive Pugh was on hand to tap home the rebound to complete the 3-0 score-line which saw United remain sixteenth in the table.

There were rumours of impending incoming players and an Iraqi takeover offer. Chairman Krasner said no bid had been made but the board would listen to any bids which were in the interests of the club and he further stated the talks for the sale and lease back of Elland Road were well advanced.

It was an unchanged United that made the long journey to Home Park where Plymouth Argyle were the hosts. It was another disciplined performance from every United player, with Jermaine Wright in superb form once again in midfield.

It looked as though all the pieces in the jigsaw were finally being put in place as they made the classic away performance to get their season up and running. The value of the win can be measured by the fact that Plymouth came into the game having only lost once at Home Park in the previous eighteen months. United weathered an early storm and quickly won the battle for the middle of the park and followed that up by playing some of the best football seen from a Leeds side in recent seasons. They passed the ball quickly; their movement was sharp and they created chances in abundance against a side that prided its self on its miserly home record. The foundation was built on a solid back four with Sullivan marshalling it superbly and it never looked like conceding. It had now gone 180 minutes since last conceding, and Plymouth must have though they were running into a brick wall. However, it was the midfield that shone brightest and none more so than Jermaine Wright, who was the driving force behind the victory and now freed from the holding role he showed his attacking prowess and was the moving force in pushing Leeds forward. He was well supported by the lively Simon Walton and busy wide men Richardson and Pugh, who were supplemented by Kelly and Crainey adding their weight with some telling crosses into the box which often caused problems. Big Brian Deane made his presence felt particularly in the air, while Joachim showed quick feet in creating a couple of useful openings.

The attendance of over 20,000 was Plymouth's largest crowd in years and contained almost 1,400 who had made the long trek from Leeds, which meant a twelve hour round trip and they would have been pleased with the Leeds performance; the chances created and would have forgiven them for not winning by a bigger margin.

United recovered from a shaky opening to take control of the game, the onslaught started when Jermaine Wright broke from midfield and embarked on a sixty yard run on goal, which culminated in a shot-come-cross which both Walton and Joachim desperately tried to make contact with on the line. It was the cue for twenty minutes of sustained pressure which culminated in the match winning goal, two minutes before the break. Walton had a shot saved, Deane had an effort blocked by the keeper's legs and Pugh headed wide from the rebound. Wright was the next to go close when he shot over after good build up play.

It looked like more frustration as a Walton pile-driver was blocked but in the ensuing melee Butler rose high to head goalwards as the Argyle defence failed to clear their lines and Marion Keith could only help it into the net, with the United skipper claiming it should have been his goal, and not an own goal. This was immediately followed by Plymouth's only effort of the night as Keith sought to make amends and capitalize on a rare Carlisle miss-header, but Sullivan was equal to the task and pulled off a fine save. United continued to create chances. Joachim twice went close while Matthew Spring came off the bench to make his debut and had a fine dipping effort tipped over the bar by the keeper and Wright and Richardson both had near misses. Just as the game seemed won the referee added five minutes injury time and United had to endure ninety-eight minutes of play before they final could take home the points. The win move United up into the top half of the league to ninth spot and with a game in hand on most teams their chances of improvement looked good.

There was news that Sean Gregan had been signed from West Bromwich Albion for £500,000 rising to a possible £1 million with add-ons, subject to his passing a fitness test.

There was a debut for Sean Gregan in midfield in place of Simon Walton as United travelled to struggling Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road, looking to add another three points to the recent run of good results. Jermaine Wright was again the fulcrum for United while Sullivan in goal, Butler in central defence and Pugh with both goals also shone in the 2-2 draw. Was it a case of one point gained or two points lost? If you say that Pugh's leveller with only two minutes to go suggests it was a priceless draw you may have a point, but it was also fair to say United should have had them dead and buried long before that! Leeds dominated in terms of possession and created enough chances to win two games but that would hide the fact that they twice had to come from behind to equalize. It was a game that United knew they should have won.

Crewe played pretty football and had two good strikers in Steve Jones and Dean Ashton but United tried to be equally pretty, when they should have opted for a more physical approach. Butler was well known for his physical approach and Sean Gregan was bought to beef up the midfield but, while showing some classy touches, he looked well short on match fitness. His presence allowed Jermaine Wright to play his more natural attacking game and his prompting and probing made him a constant threat and he was unlucky not to open hisgoal-scoring account for United. There was the feeling that Gregan and Wright could become the best midfield pair in the CCCL once they had gelled, but even at its embryo stage the partnership was too much for Crewe and they stroked the ball around at will.

To Crewe's credit they didn't give in. They took the lead shortly after half-time and were resilient enough to bounce back to take the lead again after United had equalized. It was an example of their character in front of a nigh capacity crowd of just over 9,000, which was swelled by 1,588 travelling United fans. Crewe served an early warning of their attacking capabilities to force Sullivan to tip over a Jones header, but United dominated the half and there were chances aplenty. Joachim hit a post and Richardson followed up but had his shot blocked on the line. Richardson also went for power and not precision just on the break and another chance went begging.

Two minutes after the break Carlisle inexplicably handled in the box and although Sullivan guessed the direction of the kick, Ashton's power and precision were too much and it went into the corner of the net. This jolted United into action and they were level six minutes later, after Pugh had shown good anticipation to forced home the rebound after Joachim had hit the underside of the bar, and they still continued to dominate.

With Wright leading the charge and Deane causing the defence all kinds of problems it seemed inevitable that United would go on to win, but after Jones had had one effort disallowed he made no mistake soon afterwards, with only seven minutes left on the clock. The goal clearly rattled United and only a great twenty-five yard shot from Danny Pugh enabled them to again draw level with just two minutes to go.

The draw kept the unbeaten record going but saw United drop to tenth. There was news of the loan of Southampton striker Brett Omerod in time for the next clash with high-flyers Sunderland.

United rang the changes for the Second Round League Cup Tie with Swindon Town, and they lined up: Sullivan; Kelly, Carlisle, Butler, Kilgallon; Joachim, Spring, Gregan, Pugh; McMaster, Ricketts. With Walton replacing McMaster (sixty-one minutes), Cadamarteri for Joachim (seventy minutes), Deane for Ricketts (eighty minutes) with Carson and Duberry unused. United made it four games unbeaten with an unglamourous steamroller victory over plucky Swindon Town.

The visitors could count themselves unlucky as they played some neat football but lacked the killer instinct to get a stranglehold on the game. Matthew Spring made his run on debut for United while Danny Cadamarteri made his debut from the bench. After just nine minutes, it was Kelly's beautifully weighted forward ball that found Ricketts and he in turn advanced forward before delivering a neat finish to give United the lead. The keeper beat away a powerful strike from Julian Joachim and a Kelly cross caused havoc as a Swindon defender headed it on to the bar. Jamie McMaster was unlucky not to get his first goal for the club when, after great work from Pugh, his goal-bound shot hit Ricketts and was hacked to safety. It was a first half which showed United's inefficiency at killing off inferior opposition. There were fine performances by Kelly and Kilgallon, with Spring also impressive, while Gregan moved one match closer to match fitness.

After being cannon fodder in the first half, Swindon came out for the second half meaning business. Parkin fluffed a good chance before Sullivan got down well to a low drive from O'Hanlan. However, although Swindon pressed hard, they did not have the class to penetrate the United rearguard and there were no dramas like the previous season as United eased through 1-0 for their third win in four games and their sixth clean sheet in ten games.

For the Friday night Elland Road encounter with high flying Sunderland there was a debut for loan signing Brett Ormerod, who partnered Brian Deane up front in place of McMaster and Ricketts. Crainey returned at left back in place of Kilgallon, while Richardson and Wright returned in place of Joachim and Spring in midfield. There was a minutes silence prior to the kick-off to mark the passing of former United Manager and Sunderland player Brian Clough.

Captain Paul Butler led by example with good assistance from Clarke Carlisle and Sean Gregan. A disallowed goal and a missed penalty proved costly as United were beaten for the first time in the season at Elland Road. Brian Deane had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed and Brett Ormerod should have done better with the penalty, but on balance Sunderland were the better team and deserved their victory with the first goal conceded by United in open play this season.

In the eleventh minute Danny Pugh had swung over a corner from the right and Deane rose majestically the head in unchallenged. There looked to be nothing wrong with it, but the referee blew for an infringement by Ormerod on the keeper, but on inspection of the replay it seemed that he had ruled incorrectly. Sunderland had the better of play and Sullivan and Butler denied Elliott while Robinson screwed a shot wide. Carter also went close as Sullivan pushed his powerful shot round the post which the referee inexplicably gave as a goal-kick. The winner came in the sixty-fifth minute when the Leeds defence was caughtnapping at a free kick. Robinson quickly took it to Elliott who held it up for Robinson to drive under the diving Sullivan with the defence in disarray.

With sixteen minutes to go, Ormerod wasted a great chance to draw United level, after ex-United loanee Stephen Caldwell slipped at a corner and by using Carlisle to break his fall he performed a perfect Rugby tackle and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was expected that Wright would take the resultant kick but Ormerod, keen to get off the mark, grabbed the ball and his weak kick was easily saved by Poom.

The miss was the final nail in the coffin as Sunderland easily coped with a Leeds Route One tactic of up and under. United were so frustrated at Poom's ability to handle the high ball that Butler showed his exasperation by felling the Sunderland keeper. United had struggled in the middle of the park and in marked contrast to the previous three outings where there had been chances aplenty, it was telling that no real chances had been created. Jermaine Wright had been quiet by his standards and the wide men Richardson and Pugh had little chance to shine and consequently were unable to feed the strikers. Gregan showed signs of gaining match fitness and settling in with a determined effort in which he broke up play well, but in the end there was nothing to show and United slipped to twelfth and would need to improve for their match up with Stoke City if they were not to lose touch with the leading bunch.

United were unchanged for the visit of the highly rated Stoke City, who were safely ensconced in one of the play-off positions in fourth spot. United had Gregan in command of the midfield ably backed up by Wright and Pugh who stood out, while Carlisle was strong in defence and Ormerod always caused problems for Stoke in attack. As a unit they were streets ahead of Stoke and dominated proceedings from go to woe, while Stoke seemed content to sit back and soak up the constant United pressure while hardly venturing into the Leeds half.

The shots on goal told the story, Leeds United eighteen, Stoke City two, with corners ten to one, and it was fair to say that Leeds would have spent seventy of the ninety minutes peppering the Stoke goal but the knock out punch was never delivered. The referee appeared to turn down a cast-iron penalty appeal from Brian Deane late in the game after a clash with Gerry Taggart, but otherwise the referee was quite happy to blow his whistle at regular intervals for petty infringements by Stoke, who used it as a ploy to slowdown the onslaught. Stoke sat so deep that United were able to show they are capable of some neat play on the deck when the opportunity arises. Unfortunately United's quality in the last third was not quite what it should have been and they were unableto find their way past what can only be described as a remarkable rearguard action.

Ormerod was very impressive up front and at times it was a nine man attack that United threw at Stoke, but it was still not enough to gain them the three points that their domination merited. As early as the eighth minute Ormerod was denied by a superb tackle from Taggart and the battering continued incessantly up to the ninety-fifth minute when Deane headed narrowly wide after a pinpoint cross from Ormerod. In between Leeds had shots blocked, knocked the ball wide, sent a couple of shots over the bar and saw at least two kicked off the line with the keeper beaten. Wright was probably the unluckiest in front of goal and was the victim of a double block in the sixtieth minute after De Goey flapped hopelessly at an Ormerod cross. Ormerod showed no fear of running at defenders and was subject to rough house treatment throughout. With Kelly and Crainey prepared to shoot from distance, Carlisle forcing corners and a downward header from Butler was scrambled to safety as the United defence showed that they were trying to get in on the scoring act also. Even with five minutes injury time United still couldn't penetrate the Stoke defence and the game ended 0-0 and United dropped to fifteenth but, goals apart, their confidence was sky high.

Danny Cadamartei was sold to Sheffield United for £50,000 and once again United were unchanged for their visit to Cardiff City in their Ninian Park bear-pit. United emerged with a second 0-0 draw in two games but this time the boot was on the other foot as Cardiff missed a penalty and then hit the bar three times in the second half, as United held on to complete their eighth clean sheet of the season. Played in front of a sell-out 17,000 crowd, 5,000 above their average, Cardiff rose to the occasion and played well above their relegation zone status. The pressure-cooker atmosphere also got to the referee and he handed Cardiff a generous penalty, when McAnuff tumbled under pressure from Crainey. Fortunately Sullivan was equal to the task and was able to save the tame kick with his legs.

While Cardiff employed the big kick at every opportunity, United were content to play controlled football even though there was very little spark. United's wide men struggled against two uncompromising full backs and Ormerod and Deane were well held by the Cardiff central defenders, even though their tactics and tackles were not always legal. A Jermaine Wright corner was flicked on by Brian Deane and Clarke Carlisle's bullet header was somehow cleared off the line, in the best opportunity of the first half. There were few excuses three minutesinto the second half for United failing to take the lead. Danny Pugh found Jermaine Wright with a delightful pass down the left but Ormerod could not apply the finishing touch to his pinpoint cross from close range. This spurred Cardiff to greater efforts and with Carlisle outstanding at the back, with solid assistance from Butler, United did manage to weather the storm but only just, as they were forced to defend deeper and deeper. Parry and McAnuff both went close before Cardiff upped the pace and hit Leeds with the final onslaught. Campbell turned a Perry shot against the woodwork before substitute Jerome repeated the feat, when he smashed a shot against the bar, before McAnuff was the next to rattle the Leeds crossbar. The goalless draw saw United slip to sixteenth position but with only one defeat in seven games the record looked good, if you disregarded that they had managed only seven goals in nine games, and they have failed to score in 270 minutes of football. It was hardly promotion form and a quality striker was clearly a priority.

Kilgallon and Walton replaced the injured Crainey and Wright, while Ricketts was in for Deane up front, for the Elland Road clash with Preston North End. United had already made two bids for David Healy the Preston striker and although they had been turned down there were strong rumours that he was bound for United and that he had made his last appearance for the Lancastrians.

It was surprising that he played, as his appearance in the game was not expected, as it would be his 150th for the club and triggered a £100,000 payment to his former club Manchester United. Not surprisingly he was the centre of attention and after being substituted after seventy-five minutes the Leeds fans chanted his name and bizarrely he responded with a cheeky wave from the dug-out. While he was on the pitch, the diminutive Northern Ireland International striker showed enough quality touches to underline why Leeds are so keen to prise him away from Deepdale.

He was not, however, the star of the show. That accolade rested firmly on the shoulders of Danny Pugh, who is fast becoming a firm favourite with the crowd. Having arrived as a left back, he had adapted well to the wide left midfield role and in the game was once again very impressive and was at the very core of everything that was good about United. He was the danger man with a tremendous individual display, and his probing and intelligent runs were rewarded by scoring the winner after seventy-nine minutes. United had gone fully seven hours since they had last scored and when Pugh rifled home from close range it ended a barren run which had spanned a full 430 minutes.

Ormerod impressed also, being involved in the lead up to the goal,but helimped out of the action after colliding with the goalpost. Ricketts was adisappointment and was replaced by Deane on the hour mark and it was no co-incidence that the new twin spearhead was the impetus for the breaking of the barren run. The squad featured four teenagers, as Aaron Lennon came off the bench and three other players were under the age of 22. Jermaine Wright was sorely missed. Sean Gregan was the only experienced midfielder United had on show, but Pugh and Walton were willing workers and United's biggestthreat. It was they who carved out United's best chance of the first half when Walton broke up play and knocked the ball wide to Pugh but as he sent across a pinpoint cross Walton was unable to direct his header goalwards.

With Gregan being an ex-Preston player there seemed to be some angry verbal exchanges with the Preston bench which resulted in their Assistant Manager being given his marching orders, while on the pitch there were several personal battles and on one occasion two or three players were pushing and shoving even though the ball was not anywhere near. It added an extra edge and both teams had their chances in the second half with Etuhu missing a free header before Ormerod dispossessed a Preston defender and made good ground before laying it on for the impressive Pugh. Even though it wasn't the performance that the fans had hoped for it was three points which took United into tenth positionand extended the defensive non-conceding to 285 minutes, almost five hours since Neil Sullivan was last beaten.

There was further news on the proposed Casino at Elland Road. Stanley Leisure, UK's biggest casino operator, had acquired an option to purchase 2.8 hectares (7 acres) of land next to the Elland Road ground. Should planning permission and government deregulation of the gaming industry follow, it is thought a Las Vegas style Casino would be built by the end of 2007. It would create around 1,000 jobs and cost approximately £125 million to build. United were paid £5 million for the option and their association with the casino ceases with the sale of the land and there is no future profit sharing agreement or any further income to Leeds United once the sale is completed. "We have now received £5m from Stanley Leisure, which means we have managed to reduce Leeds United's debt burden from £103m the day the current board took over, to just over £30m." Mr Krasner said.

For the trip to second placed Reading, United started off unchanged and were off to a flyer as Simon Walton scored in the first minute. Facing a team who were sure to be in with a shout in the final reckoning at the end of the season, a defiant Leeds stood firm to collect a well deserved point from their trip to Madejski Stadium.

Kilgallon stood out in a strong defence in which Sullivan and Carlisle also gave excellent performances. Reading were a lively outfit but United started and finished the stronger of the two teams and could easily have come away with all three points after a spirited performance. The hosts played some very good football and showed all the hallmarks of a team who would be challenging for promotion, but United were able to soak up the pressure and but for a stunning last minute save by the Reading keeper would have won the contest. Ormerod and Ricketts both deserved praise for their work-rate and all out effort. It was Ormerod who created the goal for Walton with a delightful cross after he had made space for himself on the right and Walton could not believe the amount of space he was allowed as he made no mistake with a close range header to give United a shock lead.

It wasn't until just on half-time that Reading were able to level matters and United showed great character by fighting back in the second half. The Reading midfield duo had played together since they were juniors at Arsenal and their understanding showed, while they also had two players on the flanks whoshowed plenty of quality and United spent much of the opening period on the back foot as a result. Kilgallon did extremely well considering he was up against one of Reading's better players and kept him neatly in check, while Kelly made some timely blocks and Carlisle was outstanding as he and Butler stood firm against Reading's strong front pairing. Sullivan was busy throughout and was his usual tidy self. It was not all one-way traffic and Ormerod had a low shot saved, while Ricketts showed great quality in controlling a looping ball from Gregan before firing narrowly wide. It looked like United were going to go into the break in front but luck was in Reading's favour. After Sullivan had done well to parry a close range header onto the post, unfortunately the rebound went straight to Owusu, who grabbed the equalizer. Reading came out firing on all cylinders for the second half and wasted three very good chances before United were able to claw their way back into the game.

Gregan, Richardson and substitute Spring all shot over as Leeds finished strongly, while at the other end Kitson failed to connect with the goal at his mercy. Leeds could have stolen it in stoppage time when Brian Deane met a Danny Pugh corner with a powerful header but somehow Hahnemann, the Reading keeper, reacted quickly to spread himself to beat the ball away. It was a quality save which gained his side a point. The crowd of over 22,000 contained 3,000 of the travelling faithful and they would have been pleased with the point but at the same time disappointed that it was not three as United dropped to thirteenth place, but maintained their run of only one defeat in the last eight games and hoping that the funds can be found to bring in the extra quality that is required for United to mount a serious challenge for promotion.

United were again unchanged as they moved to the south coast to the miniscule Withdean Stadium home of Brighton and they trotted out to the cheers of 600 of their supporters, severely restricted by the less than 7,000 capacity of the ground. Woeful could describe many things about this fixture. The ground, the referee and United's display!

Two controversial dismissals, an own goal and horrendous weather conditions all helped towards Unite's downfall at the worst stadium they will ever have to visit for a League game. The ground could not be blamed for the disastrous defeat nor could it be blamed for the indiscipline showed by certain Leeds players. It was a woefully abject performance by both teams and the normally reliable United defence gift wrapped the three points and contrived to provide Brighton with enough chances to win the game. By the time Clarke Carlisle had headed beyond Neil Sullivan in the fifty-ninth minute United had already made many misplaced passes and hashed clearances to give Brighton chances their play did not deserve. Indeed if Clarke Carlisle had not got the unfortunate touch it is hard to believe that either side would ever have scored.

Late substitute Aaron Lennon did add some life but it was one of those games where the result was inevitable. The referee seemed intent on booking as many Leeds players as he could. Kelly was the first, after Carlisle took a swipe at a Brighton player right under the referee's nose. Sullivan got booked for telling him that he had made a stunning save as the referee pointed for a goal kick. Kilgallon was twice carded and sent off for two fifty-fifty challenges, while Butler managed to earn a yellow and a straight red within a space of sixty seconds apparently for swearing at the lineswoman. It earned him a two match ban and he would be missed, as he was United's best defender by a country mile. Sullivan earned his pay with a couple of fine saves, Walton, Gregan and Ormerod seemed to try, Carlisle, Kilgallon, Richardson, and Pugh were below their usual form and Kelly and Ricketts must have been ashamed to pick up their pay packet! United slipped to seventeenth position and appeared to be well out of contention, but after such a display they must have been watching over their shoulders at the teams below.

United were severely hit by suspensions and injuries and Ormerod was not allowed to play. So a much changed team lined up for the trip along the south coast to Portsmouth. Sullivan; Kelly, Carlisle, Walton, Pugh; Richardson, Gregan, Spring, Simon Johnson; Deane, Joachim. Lennon came on for Joachim on 72 minutes, Keogh made his debut as replacement for Gregan, four minutes from time while Ricketts took Johnson's place a minute later.

The threadbare United restored some pride after the abysmal efforts at Brighton a couple of days before, and tore into a complacent EPL outfit as if they were out to avenge memories of a 6-1 thrashing sustained on their last visit to Fratton Park. When Portsmouth roared into a two goal lead on the half hour the travelling faithful could have been forgiven for thinking that they were in for a repeat. Thankfully they were wrong and Kelly made up for his prevous inept performance by pulling on the captain's armband and giving a fine inspirational performance, to lead by example. He linked up well with Richardson, crossed well and was a constant source of encouragement to the younger players. His only disappointing moment was when he was adjudged to have brought down the Portsmouth player for their match-winning penalty. It could have gone either way but on this night it went against him. Brian Deane was also inspirational and revelled in the stream of crosses and was always a threat, while Gregan provided a calming influence in midfield. Pugh and Walton both playing in their normal positions for the first time and were happy and comfortable after voluntarily playing out of position so long.

Maybe United started too cautiously and paid Portsmouth too much respect as the weakened eleven was subjected to incessant pressure for the first twenty minutes. Sullivan had already pulled off two blinding saves before he was left exposed and Kamara scored from a narrow angle after fourteen minutes. United reorganized themselves and battled their way back into the contest. Deane had a header saved and another went narrowly over the bar as he revelled in a stream of fine crosses from Kelly, while Richardson hammered a low ball across the goal but there was no one to supply the finishing touch. Leeds were playing some nice football with Simon Johnson, Spring and Gregan featuring strongly, but it was the home side that went ahead 2-0 on the half hour with the debatable penalty. But United finished the half strongly and reduced the arrears five minutes before the break. It came from the source they had revelled in all night, as Kelly found space on the right, and Deane met the cross to head home his first goal since returning to Elland Road, to bring United back into the game. The tall striker also had the ball in the net again early in the second half only to be ruled out by the linesman's flag. Leeds continued to press and Richardson was incheswide, Simon Johnson forced the keeper to a desperate save and Taylor seemed to handle in the box when pressured by Richardson. Ricketts and Keogh were thrown on as United employed four strikers in an effort to improve the score-line but it was to no avail and United went down 2-1 but could not have fought harder.

There was a fine debut for David Healy, who made his debut after being finally signed from Preston North End for a reported £650,000. He replaced Julian Joachim to partner Brian Deane in the strike force, while Kilgallon returned to central defence after suspension with Walton moving back into midfield at the expense of Spring. The League leaders Wigan Athletic proved to be a class act with Bullard and Mahon running the show from midfield. The quality that oozed through the Wigan team as they eased to victory showed exactly what it takes to mount an effort at CCCL level and was a lesson for all those connected with Leeds United and gap between the haves and have nots was glaringly apparent.They showed all the hallmarks of a team destined to lift silverware and take the quantum leap into the EPL.

Leeds were far from disgraced, but were just simply outclassed by their ruthless opponents. United more than matched them in the first half but twoquick-fire goals early in the second half settled the match as a competition.The United weaknesses were clearly exposed. But, the Wigan midfield was much more expensively assembled and clearly had far more experience than their United counterparts. Only Gregan was able to match them in the experience stakes, while Richardson and Walton are playing out of position and still learning their trade, and Simon Johnson had never played left midfield before.

Healy and Deane linked up well, with Healy quite happy to act as provider when needed. Kilgallon, playing for the first time this season in his preferred central defensive position, was outstanding in defence, with good support from Clarke Carlisle, and they snuffed out the dual threat of Ellington and Roberts, who were the league's most prolific scorers, so they can take great heart from their efforts. Although out of position, Simon Johnson was the pick of the midfield and combined well with Healy to give the Irish striker the chance to test the keeper. Gregan was fairly ineffective after coming off second best in a challenge from McCulloch on the half hour and was nursing a hip injury for the rest of the match. The incident caused a flair up with Carlisle getting booked and he was fortunate to stay on the pitch minutes later when he hauled back Roberts. Wigan seemed to be content to shoot from distance and this proved no problem to a goalkeeper of Sullivan's calibre.

Wigan took the lead almost immediately as the second half started, when Alan Mahon pounced with a lethal left foot strike after some neat build up which saw Leeds caught short. United replied with Healy being denied by a superb save by Filan, but the visitors showed their strength on the counter attack and hit Leeds with a sucker punch. Roberts fed the impressive Bullard and with Pugh and Kelly chasing shadows, Bullard took it on before delivering a lethal finish past a helpless Sullivan. A quality finish and a signal of their clinically execution of the difference in class, as United now occupied sixteenth spot, and bizarre as it may seem in terms of where the two teams were two years ago they were now far behind the likes of Wigan in terms of financial muscle.

Off the field there was movement in the financial field as a USA based consortium of Nova Financial Partners and Sebastien Sainsbury were reported to have made a bid to take over the club, while present incumbents headed by Chairman Gerald Krasner say they have yet to see the colour of their money, while there was talk of yet another consortium waiting in the wings. Should the US bid prevail it was mooted that they would be making money available to Kevin Blackwell to bolster his team.

The apparent shambles that is fast becoming Leeds United transferred itself on to the pitch as United turned on an unacceptably bad performance against Burnley at Elland Road, who had started the evening in a lower position than them.

Watched by the would-be new Chairman Sebastien Sainsbury they could hardly have inspired his confidence in them. Even anyone not having football knowledge would have known that the product would be hard to market and in a store would probably rot on the shelf. The incumbent board appeared to have little confidence in him, and his US backing team, putting their money where their mouths were, and were presently negotiating with a local consortium led by Norman Stubbs.

Butler returned to central defence with Kilgallon moving to left back and Pugh up to left midfield, with Simon Johnson being omitted. Joachim replaced Richardson at right midfield while Jermaine Wright was fit again and replaced Walton. It was worrying that the result was achieved with what was, on paper, possibly United's strongest team. The team looked a shadow of the side that had ground out a series of good results at the start of the season and it was hard to imagine that a much weaker team had fought so hard to give the League's best team a real run for their money only a couple of days previously.

Only Jermaine Wright, Julian Joachim and David Healy showed any fight and came out of the game with any credit. It all should have been so different, when United got off to the best possible start as Jermaine Wright celebrated his return by scoring after only 12 seconds, with Kilgallon's long pass being knocked on by Healy, for Wright to lash the ball out of the reach of the Burnley keeper. Unfortunately the rest of the United team were just not at the races and the performance was undoubtedly the worst of the season.

There was barely ten minutes on the clock when Clarke Carlisle had an aberration and sold Neil Sullivan short with a back pass. Sullivan did his best to rescue the situation but to no avail. United seemed to go to pieces and constantly gave the ball away cheaply with misplaced passes and aimless balls forward and it came as no surprise that Burnley took the lead on the half hour. Burnley whipped the ball into the box and after Sullivan could only parry a header, Richard Duffy slotted the ball in from the narrowest of angles. The second goal did spark Leeds momentarily into life and Deane had a couple of headers saved, Joachim hit the woodwork and Wright had an angled drive saved by the keeper. Blackwell tried to change things around by going to three at the back, but Leeds could never get back into the contest and were lucky that Burnley did not increase their lead as they contrived to miss three excellent second half chances. The final whistle was greeted by boos and jeers from some supporters who had come to expect better than being humiliated by the likes of Burnley on their own pitch and found United in eighteenth place and struggling.

John Oster had been signed on loan from Sunderland and he went straight into the team in place of Kilgallon, playing on the right flank, with Healy on the left flank and Pugh dropping to left back for the visit to Deepdale and David Healy's quick return to play against his former employers, Preston North End.

United completed the double over their Lancastrian foes and, unrecognizable from embarrassing defeats to struggling Brighton and Burnley, turned on a power performance and give their most comprehensive display of the season to overwhelm the home team.

They produced a scintillating first half performance and were deservedly 3-0 to the good at the break. Two goals came from David Healy, less than two weeks after leaving Preston, and his contribution was outstanding as Leeds played the ball on the deck and moved it quickly. But it was not just the David Healy show, as there were outstanding displays all across the park. The back four were solid and formed the foundation which saw the midfield and forward line run riot. Gregan, a former Preston favourite, was given a standing ovation by the crowd as he took the field and was at the hub of a stronger, more experienced, United midfield, which allowed Wright and Walton to be more adventurous and it had been no coincidence that Jermaine Wright played far better when Gregan was behind him and it was he who ran the show in midfield. His passing and vision was excellent and it was he who created two of the four United goals.

Deane's height was used to good effect with Oster and Healy working the flanks to give United width. Two of the goals were from set pieces and straight from the training ground. The first came after just twelve minutes when Deane stooped at the far post to head home a Wright corner. Three minutes later it was 2-0, Pugh delivered a free-kick deep into the Preston box and, with Carlisle unsettling the Preston defence, Healy pounced to shoot the loose ball past the keeper. Leeds were playing superb football and went close as Deane headed a pinpoint Wright cross inches over. It got even better as, with Wright again thearchitect; he played a long ball forward to Healy who showed great composure to hold off a defender before delivering another lethal strike, just prior to the break.

Preston came out fired up for the second half and Cresswell reduced the arrears after fifty-four minutes but United weathered the storm and came back to grab a fourth after seventy-two minutes, when Oster's deep cross was beautifully laid back by Deane for Walton who scored from close range. Leeds United fan Cresswell did get a second for Preston seven minutes from time but it was too little too late and United cruised to a well deserved victory which saw United move up to fifteenth place.

After the game there was an embarrassing Radio spat between a present Director, Melvin Helme, and the would be future chairman Sebastien Sainsbury the gist of which was put up or shut up as the protracted talks were inconclusive.

It was reported on Friday 12th November that the club had announced that negotiations for the takeover by the American-backed consortium had ended after a 1pm deadline had passed and that Elland Road was to be sold under a sale and lease back deal. Mr Krasner also revealed that the club's board was in "advanced discussions" with a local consortium. United called a press conference at Elland Road that afternoon to clarify the latest developments in the Sainsbury takeover saga. A joint announcement by the club and Nova Financial Partners earlier in the week had stated that proof of funding had been established. Leeds's urgency for completion was prompted by the need to pay back the latest instalment of the loan owed by the current board to Jack Petchey, or trigger a £2 million penalty clause.

Mr Krasner said: "Leeds United can confirm that current negotiations for a takeover of the club have ceased with Nova Financial Partners. We can also confirm that today we are in the final stages of completing the sale and lease back of Elland Road." Mr Krasner, who said the sale of Elland Road should be finalised later that day, would not say how much the deal was worth but confirmed that it meant the loan owed by the board to Jack Petchey would be paid off in full. The Leeds board, fearing that the Nova deal might not go through, had also been in talks with a local consortium believed to be headed by local businessman Norman Stubbs. Mr Krasner said: "We are in advanced discussions with a local consortium which we hope to finish over the coming weeks."

United unsurprisingly were unchanged for the visit to Portman Road, home of second placed Ipswich Town.United could have won and should have drawn but lost 1-0, as a single scrappy goal settled an encounter which Leeds dominated for long periods and turned in a performance which made a mockery of the huge difference between the two teams in the league table. At the end of the game Ipswich shared top spot with Wigan and were undefeated in ten games, while Leeds sank to nineteenth and had won just one game of the last five. It would have been hard for a neutral to decide which was the side riding high in the League and which was on its knees at the bottom, but Leeds, apart from a twenty minutes spell in the second half either side of the decisive goal dominated the contest. They created plenty of opportunities, particularly in the first half and their display could have been said to be better than their display in the same stanza at Preston given the relative positions of Preston and Ipswich. The vital difference was that they hit the net three times at Preston but in this case could not register a legal score. A couple of marginal offside decisions proved decisive, while the Ipswich keeper made several good saves to thwart them.

Gregan was in fine form and was United's outstanding player but there was a subdued and substandard display from Jermaine Wright on his first return to his former club, which was marked by a rough ride from his former fans who turned on their former favourite. It clearly affected his play and while keeping Ipswich danger-man Horlock relatively quiet for long periods he made a rash challenge on Wilnis, as his frustrations got the better of him, and he was replaced by Joachim after seventy-four minutes. Gregan broke up play well and his distribution was first class. He was the platform on which Leeds built attack after attack. David Healy and John Oster were again key figures on the flanks, causing trouble throughout, while Walton provided good support down the middle for Brian Deane. It was the positive approach shown by United and if it could be repeated they would collect more points than they would drop. Indeed it took only fifty-five seconds before they had the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled offside. Gregan started the move which Deane knocked on and Healy showedgreat natural instinct to rattle the ball wide of the keeper. The dreaded flag was up in the air again moments later when Walton and Oster combined to send Healy en route for goal. Oster had an effort beaten away by the keeper, who was again on hand to stop a looping header from Gregan from finding the net. Ipswich offered little in reply and it was 35 minutes before Sullivan was called into action as Bent headed straight into his hands.

Ipswich switched tactics in the second half to match those of Leeds and with three up front they had their best spell, which featured the only goal of the game. There was a bad misunderstanding between Kelly and Carlisle, and Bent took advantage to score the only goal of the game, six minutes into the second half. Sullivan made a valiant attempt to stop it and it was debatable whether he had control of the ball when Bent kicked the ball out of his hands. The goal rattled Leeds and it took them a while to regain their composure but could have stolen the game as substitute Joachim headed down a Pugh corner, but after a neat turn, Deane was unable to apply the finishing touch from close range and the keeper spread himself well to save.

United were again unchanged, despite rumours that they were in the market for Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry, for the visit of Queens Park Rangers to Elland Road. The hapless visitors went away on the receiving end of a 6-1 drubbing. It was a result that has been long coming after some fine performances for little reward against classy opposition. Brian Deane, who had spent much of the season ploughing a lone furrow up front for scant reward, was finally rewarded for his perseverance, while his team-mates also rose to the occasion by turning in their most complete display to date. It was a surreal afternoon, Deane even had a further goal disallowed and had picked up the match ball by half-time with his first hat-trick in a Leeds shirt, but it should not have been surprising given the United recent performances.

United now had quality in abundance and though consistency would be the key, they had now strung together three consecutive displays where they had looked lively, inventive and creative. Quite rightly, Deane would take the plaudits for his goal-scoring feat, but the other scorers Healy and Wright also turned in high-quality performances. Healy’s finish for the first goal on nine minutes was pure class. Wright got the third goal after twenty-three minutes and it was fitting reward for his tenacity after a substandard performance at Ipswich and he revelled in the open spaces of Elland Road and with his neat touches and quick-thinking he was back to his best. Oster had really impressed in the three games since arriving on loan and had provided the width required for United to play with a three pronged attack. He had the rare ability to beat his man for pace and skill and if he progressed at present rate he would no doubt be signed permanently. Walton and Gregan were also key players as United pummeled high flying Rangers into submission.

Complete team performances are rare, but this was just about as good as it gets. After conceding a goal in less than two minutes Leeds went on the rampage and rattled five past their bewildered opponents before half time. When Healy produced an exquisite finish after good work by Kelly and Deane to level the scores no one would have suspected the massacre that was to follow. United went ahead on thirteen minutes when Walton back-heeled to Wright and Deane was on hand to convert the cross from close range. Ten minutes later Deane headed towards the box and a Rangers defender could only help it towards goal and Wright reacted quickly to poke the ball home at the second attempt. Rangers were in disarray and United were on the warpath and wrapped up the game with two goals in a minute just before half-time. The first came when Deane finished off a move involving Oster and Wright and then the big striker completed his hat-trick by converting a Kelly cross.

The second half was always going to be an anti-climax and when Healy missed a penalty following a foul on Walton it seemed the crowd's cries of "We want six" were going to be ignored. But Deane answered their call when he was on hand to capitalize on a defensive error. The result could have been wider but 6-1 was good enough as United edged up into seventeenth position.

Once again United were able to field an unchanged team for the visit of Watford to Elland Road. The expected deal for Shaun Derry fell through, embarrassingly after United had paid for his medical, and there was talk of boardroom unrest but potential investor Norman Stubbs is due to return from a Caribbean holiday and things could be resolved. After the run of good form culminating in the 6-1 thrashing of Queens Park Ranger expectations were high and it was once again the case of "after the Lord Mayor's Show" as United were lucky to scramble a 2-2 draw. United twice came from behind but it was a game that neither teams deserved to lose. United played some good football at times but paid a heavy price for their generosity after twice handing Watford the lead.

After nine minutes no one picked up Dyer as he headed in at the far post and in the seventy-first minute the visitors second was right out of the "how not to defend" manual. Pugh sold Gregan short with a bad pass which left him in difficulties, he compounded the problem by trying to play a shocking back pass to the keeper which hit Butler and was cannoned straight into the path of Dyer, who did not look a gift horse in the mouth. In Gregan's defence it was his only mistake in an otherwise good personal performance as he patrolled in front of the back four, in a game where the forwards took the eye and defences looked anything but stable. United were very generous in the firsttwenty minutes and allowed Watford to create several good chances, and before the goal Sullivan had already pulled off a fine save to deny Chambers and after the goal made a fine stop from close range to thwart Dyer. Midway through the half United came to life and equalized on twenty-one minutes as Deane held up a long ball from Butler and Wright was on hand to thump the ball home. Deane was again the key figure but unlike in the previous fixture he was unable to get his nameon the score-sheet. Oster was the chief provider with a stream of crosses and Wright turned in his usual impressive, hard working performance to be the pick of the Leeds team.

In the first half Gregan went close as the keeper pushed his effort over the bar but the second half was not so impressive with Healy having a header brilliantly saved by the keeper before Dyer was handed the gift wrapped goal with less than twenty minutes to go. It looked as if Watford would take the full points but three minutes before the final whistle the industrious Wright sent a pinpoint cross for Clarke Carlisle to head in at the far post to give United a deserved draw. It moved them up to fifteenth on the ladder.

There were two team changes for the visit to Millmoor and bottom of the table Rotherham United, who were still looking for their first win after twenty games. Kilgallon replaced Pugh at left back and Ricketts came in for Deane up front.

The turmoil off the field continued with Sebastien Sainsbury returning to make a bid of his own, but like his bid with the American Consortium the Directors thought it was "A Mickey Mouse" bid and placed no faith in it, they seemed more interested in the Norman Stubbs bid. A tirade from Gerald Krasner was seen live on Sky prior to the kick off when he was interviewed on the matter. He was very scathing in his appraisal of the bid and said they were wasting his time as they could not be relied on. Not the sort of thing to fill the fans with expectation of future stability. So not only did they become the victims of the first side to lose to Rotherham but became the unwanted victims of yet another smear campaign after Sebastien Sainsbury reappeared with rank bad timing to make yet another of his offers to "buy" the club. The off field uncertainty, created by a man who had already broken promise after promise, was bad enough,but the result was just plain embarrassing.

It was made worse as Leeds totally outplayed Rotherham for the majority of the game and yet failed to beat a team that was within four games of gaining the unwanted mantel of the Football League's all time record for consecutive games without a victory. Rotherham showed why they had such a bad record and really didn't look capable of stopping the run and in truth United should have won by an avalanche of goals. They battered Rotherham from the off and could have been 3-0 up before the crowd had time to sit down. Clarke Carlisle hit the woodwork three times in the first six minutes and such was United's speed of the early passing and movement that it looked like there could only be one outcome. Carlisle limped off in the fifteenth minute he was replaced by Richardson who took the left back spot with Matthew Kilgallon taking the vacant spot in central defence, but still United attacked incessantly and it was men against boys.

David Healy was the standout and never stopped, while Simon Walton was always a problem bursting forward from midfield. Kelly and Oster linked up well and Rotherham simply could not handle the constant surge forward. However United couldn't maintain that pace and after not being able to score before the hour mark anxiety set in. The speed and intensity waned although Healy was still threatening. Ricketts slowly drifted out of the clash and as the clock wound down Leeds became increasingly sloppy in possession and started to give the ball away and the amount of pressure on the Rotherham goal subsided. Ricketts should have converted a Healy centre and there was no one on hand to put in an Oster cross. The longer it went the more worried United and their fans became.

After seventy-seven minutes the inevitable happened. The Leeds defence allowed Barker to back heel across goal in a rare Rotherham attack and McIntosh was on hand to rifle the ball home from close range. United then responded by throwing men forward. Joachim came on for Walton and Butler pushed up as they became increasingly desperate as Rotherham got every player back in defence. The final whistle came and a broken and despondent United trooped off with heads bowed and totally demoralized. They slipped to sixteenth.

Deane returned in place of Ricketts as United faced Leicester City at Elland Road and once again there was another match where they promised much but achieved little. The off field problems and uncertainty, the talk of takeovers, cash flow and potential administration seemed to not only affect the players but also the fans mindsets as the fans, albeit a minority, turned on the players and vented their anger at another show of how to lose a football match without really trying.

They had plenty of possession, plenty of effort, domination in patches against a very average side but ended up once again with nothing to show for their efforts. Two soft goals gifted victory to Leicester and they tumbled to their fourth home defeat of the season. Leicester took the lead two minutes into the second half when United had several chances to clear their lines and failed to do so and paid the price. There appeared to be a blatant hand ball by a Leicester player, which was missed by the referee, but that could not be offered as an excuse for bad defending. The second goal was even more calamitous. An innocuous cross from Gillespie was met by Kelly, who, instead of clearing, headed it past his surprised keeper to score a goal that most strikers would have been proud of. That was in the seventy-seventh minute and it killed off the game for United and the fans voiced their disapproval of the woeful defending. Just as at Rotherham they had played some neat football early on, carved out good openings, failed to take any of them, then lost their grip and became anxious and finally conceded goals from defensive failures and became more desperate and wilder in their attempts to retrieve the game. As they chased the game Healy and Oster had to drop deeper and deeper in search of the ball and Deane, who missed one gilt-edged chance in the second half, was left to plough a lone furrow upfront. The more the game wore on the more the midfield struggled and as Gregan started to struggle so did his collegues as most moves had started with him. Healy had gone close in the first half but the Leicester defence marshalled by Dion Dublin held the United forwards in check. Healy was also unlucky to have the ball in the net after nineteen minutes but it was ruled out for offside. The keeper also made a blinding save to deny Oster. United also had two penalty appeals turned down. Several headers went narrowly wide and Carlisle had a header blocked on the line and Butler also went close. It mattered little as the scoreboard said 0-2 and United slipped to nineteenth on the ladder.

With takeover and investment talks moving at a slow pace D-Day was looming ever closer for the Elland Road club. The next crucial date was 15th December 2004 when £ 1 million was due to the Inland Revenue. If United failed to meet the payment the Inland Revenue could be able to consider their options and could take the first steps of putting the club into administration. This would have entailed issuing a statutory notice of non-payment followed by a formal winding up petition against the club. The whole procedure could take up to eight weeks and there would have to be proof to the courts that the club could not pay its debts. Leeds still owed the Inland Revenue £4 million in staggered payments and administration could lead to the restructuring of that and other debts. Creditors usually favour a period of administration as they usually feel they have more chance of getting their money back.

Elland Road had been sold to Jacob Adler and was subject to a twenty-five year leaseback agreement, under the terms of the agreement the club had to pay the first three months rent upfront. Unless an investment deal was struck soon the spectre of administration was an issue that would not leave Leeds United alone, and, while ever it remained a possibility the uncertainty would remain with the club.

Bricks and Mortar had been sold, training pitches had been disposed of on a sale/leaseback basis, staffing had been reduced, costs had been slashed and many players had been offloaded. Most of the money raised had gone in servicing debt, particularly after the long-term season ticket did not find popularity. Since then United had been at a virtual standstill. They were currentlyin talks with one group of investors in the hope of avoiding administration. The Norman Stubbs Consortium, the group closest to completing a deal, were determined to come up with a rescue passage. They were in the throes of questioning the club's financial position before formalizing the offer. The Accountants were expected to play a key role as it would not make sense to "throw good money after bad" from the investors' point of view. It could cost £10 million to safeguard the long-term future of the club, which had no tangible assets. United insisted that the deal was making progress and remained confident about their chances of securing the investment.

The American Consortium of Nova initially offered a way out, until they failed to offer firm proof that they had the £25 million available to pump into the cash deficient club. London-based Sebastien Sainsbury was still hovering in the background amid claims that he was about to launch a rescue bid, but the entrepreneur might have found that, even if he conjured up the funds, £25 million may not have been enough to achieve his aims of buying back Elland Road and Thorpe Arch and still have had left enough disposable cash to lift the business.

Chairman Krasner was defiant that Leeds wouldn't fall into administration but unless a substantial investment was secured in the near future the consequences were dire. Should administration happen the scenario was that Leeds would lose ten points, in accordance with the new Football League Rules, and the club would be immediately plunged into a relegation battle. The administrators would assume control of the club, the first step being a creditors' meeting to discuss the proposals under which the club have been placed in administration. The ultimate aim of the administrators would be to sell the club as a going concern, providing the majority of the creditors approve the proposals. The administratorwould be responsible for the day-to-day running of the club, coupled with the search for investment to safeguard the longer term future of the business. Administration would continue for as long as the courts believed it was necessary.

Kilgallon moved across to replace Carlisle in central defence with Richardson coming in at left back while Pugh replaced young Walton in midfield for United's visit to the Boleyn Grounds at Upton Park, home of West Ham United. There was a late, late penalty from David Healy to secure United a point with almost the last kick of the game. It was only justice as United had previously seen two blatant penalties waved away. Equally West Ham could have felt aggrieved once and for once luck shone on United. The goal was just reward for United who had been more than a match for a team who occupy the upper echelon of the league and were being strongly tipped for promotion. It was vital that after winning only two from ten and losing two on the trot that United restored their fortunes before the Christmas games. United stuck to the system that had won against Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End and served them well against Ipswich, Watford and Rotherham and here again they looked strong and took the initiative.

Danny Pugh had a cross deflected to safety and Healy saw a shot parried by the keeper before being thwarted again by the keeper as he tried a chip. Brian Deane also had a good opportunity when he took advantage of a poor back-pass but his curling chip shot hit the top of the bar before bouncing to safety. Danny Pugh was hauled down by Anton Ferdinand just on half-time but the first blatant penalty was not acknowledged by the referee. At the other end Harewood miscued a header which cannoned off Kilgallon for Chadwick to score from close range after fifty minutes. Leeds played good football and made good build-ups on the floor rather than looking to the aerial presence of Deane. However as the game progressed the familiar anxiety set in, as Deane fired wide from close range after good work by Healy. They were denied a penalty when McMaster's cross was clearly handled by Powell in the box. Again the referee didn't see the incident. The Leeds players were about to complain to the referee when Healy took a tumble under pressure from Lomas and the referee pointed to the spot. It was just reward as Kilgallon stood out in defence ably assisted by Butler while Gregan, Pugh and Healy were the pick of the rest. United's position improved slightly to eighteenth as a result.

United were unchanged for the visit of Millwall to Elland Road and let a valuable win slip from their grasp. Jody Morris, who had failed to score in an eight month stint with United, wrecked United's hopes when he stepped up to convert a penalty with three minutes to go. To make matters worse he went on a long celebratory run taunting the home crowd with his hand cupped to his ear, in clear reference to the hostile reception he had received on his Elland Road return. It created a volatile atmosphere and later there were clashes in the streets between rival fans and police, as sounds of hatred filled the streets around the ground. It was an ill-deserved goal, as Leeds had been by far the better team, but as usual had failed to deliver the knock out blow. It was once again the old familiar scenario of Leeds dominating and then throwing the game away late in the game after they became frustrated by their inability to convert their many chances.

John Oster, who was by far United's best player, had given them the lead two minutes before the break with his first goal for the club. David Healy, Brian Deane and Frazer Richardson all went near to getting the crucial second goal but either could not hit the target or were thwarted by the keeper. Millwall were a physical side, who passed the ball well but they were totally unable to exert either of those skills on a game in which they were clearly second best. Butler and Kilgallon were buttresses in defence while Gregan had a good game in front of the back four. Kelly and Richardson often pressed forward and caused problems while Danny Pugh was his usual busy self in midfield, but Wright looked tired and jaded and was United's weak link. Oster caused mayhem all game and he was the main danger to Millwall while Healy posed problems on the left and Deane was his usual aerial presence while Sullivan had little to worry about in goal.

In the second half Oster had a low drive saved, Healy had a shot on the turn which flew narrowly wide while Richardson hit a curling shot from 25 yards which was diverted for a corner. The penalty was the killer as Ifill took a tumble in the box under pressure from Kelly. After United profiting from a fifty-fifty decision at West Ham this week it was their turn to accept the referees fine line decision that had dire consequences.

The goal was greeted by groans from the frustrated home crowd and United had now won only two of the last thirteen League matches and with Gregan and Walton picking up their fifth bookings the side was likely to be depleted in the near future, but they were six points above the drop zone and ten off the play-off spots in nineteenth position, but anything could happen, in a Division where each team could defeat the others on a given day. Nothing could be taken for granted.

United travelled to the Stadium of Light for their encounter with high-flying Sunderland, without the services of the suspended Gregan and Walton and on loan Oster unable to play against his present employers, with Lennon and Spring deputizing. After weeks of playing well and not getting the results United were finally rewarded with a 3-2 victory. Although threadbare and young United showed more enterprise and ability than their hosts and for the first time in weeks they got the result their endeavours deserved. They also won against the odds and again suffered on the wrong end of a dubious penalty.

Aaron Lennon gave United the lead on the half hour when he scored his first senior goal converting coolly after good work from Deane and Healy. The penalty came just two minutes before half time when Spring was adjudged to have pushed Whitehead. Spring certainly raised his hand but Whitehead seemed to go to ground far too easily. So it was all square at the break, but United had been by far the better team. It came as no surprise when Deane rose majestically to head home a Healy cross just on the hour mark. It was a fitting reward as he was a constant cause of panic for Sunderland with ex-Leeds player Caldwell and Breen just unable to cope with his presence. Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon were dominant at the back and it was fifty-three minutes before Sunderland threatened the Leeds goal from open play. Kelly and Richardson were strong at the back and Jermaine Wright adapted well to Gregan’s position just in front of the back four and Pugh and Spring were industrious in the box-to-box midfield work. Out wide Lennon and Healy had far too much pace for the sluggish Sunderland backs and were always dangerous but Deane was the star and a nightmare for the Sunderland rearguard.

All in all it would be unfair to single out any players as it was United's most complete performance of the season. Joachim came on as substitute for Lennon after seventy-eight minutes and was soon in the action and put the icing on the cake when he hammered home after good work by Wright. Ricketts replaced Deane with four minutes to go and there was also a debut for Martin Woods who replaced Healy almost on full time. Arca converted a curling free-kick deep into injury time but the score flattered Sunderland who were by far the inferior team. So at last United had achieved an outstanding victory, which only served to emphasise the relative closeness of the Division where form changed on a week to week basis, but for now it edged United up to sixteenth place.

Gregan was back in place of Spring in his usual position in front of the back four with Wright pushing further up in midfield as United completed a double over Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road.It was their first home win since November and gave them the maximum six points from the Christmas fixtures.

The 34,500 crowd was swelled by 1,500 Plymouth fans that, incredibly, had made the long journey from Devon and they urged their favourites on but while some might argue they deserved something for their gutsy performance it was fitting that United should get the points as they had not profited from several recent good performances. Having said that, the United performance was nowhere near the class which they had shown in those previous encounters and they had to scrap and slug their way and it was a reward for them and their fans that the emerged victorious.

There were times when the midfield struggled and lost possession in vital areas, but they stuck at it and in the end prevailed as they showed character and will to win in abundance. Plymouth flooded the midfield with five men and this made it difficult for United to get their 'Sunderland aces' wing combination of Lennon and Healy and aerial threat Deane into the game. It did not make for pretty viewing and the first half ranked with the worst for the season.

United's hopes sank as the injured Deane did not reappear after the break and was replaced by the diminutive Joachim. It was one of those games where you wonder if a goal will ever come. It did in the first minute of the second half as Richardson fed Healy and his low cross was bundled into the net by hapless defender Gilbert and served to ease the tension. Danny Pugh, who had crawled out of his sickbed to turn in another hard-working performance, played in Healy, who in turn played an inch perfect pass for the arriving Jermaine Wright, who had timed his run to perfection to beat the off side but watched in amazement as his shot hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety. The near miss seemed to stir Plymouth and it was United's turn to defend as Argyle surged forward in search of an equaliser. United, with Wright and Pugh dropping back to supplement the defence ensured that Argyle found the route to goal securely locked. With memories of conceding a late goal against Millwall still fresh in their memories United did not panic and were rewarded with an excellent goal from Healy, who latched on to a long through ball and being played onside by an injured prostrateArgyle defender he scored with a sublime chip from 30 yards just before full time. Six minutes into injury time Plymouth reduced the arrears but it came too late and United moved up to fourteenth place nine points off the play off spot and nine above the drop zone. Butler was a rock in defence but all the defence had good games in another all round team performance.

So ended a year, that United would sooner forget, whether it be on or off the field, unfortunately the instability off the field had also been reflected by inconsistent performances on it. Truly it was a year to forget.

There was a debut for loan signing from Leicester City, striker Nathan Blake, in place of the injured Brian Deane and a place on the substitute bench and an half hour run for Icelandic international signing Gylfi Einarsson, who has had to wait since October for his clearance from Norwegian club Lillestrom, against Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road. Any hope of stringing together a reasonable run was spoilt as the visitors went away 2-0 victors leaving United to ponder why once again they had lost a match which they had dominated.

Crewe packed their midfield and frustrated United but it was the home team that dominated and had the bulk of the chances. Aaron Lennon seemed to carry all United’s attacking hopes on his young shoulders, as Healy and Blake were largely subdued. There were several scouts at the game and it could not have done his future playing prospects any harm, but it does raise the spectrum of losing young stars like himself, Simon Walton, Frazer Richardson, Danny Pugh, Matthew Kilgallon and even Scott Carson who may be sold to ease the financial burden. Lennon was the only danger Crewe faced and he time and again breezed past Crewe defenders only to see no takers for his crosses or the keeper equal to his shots on goal. In fact Crewe were deeply indebted to their keeper, Clayton Ince, who was their star performer and saved them on countless occasions.

Crewe opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute when Lunt, who had a fine game in midfield, sent a corner right on to the head of the unmarked Dean Ashton who had the space to convert at the near post. It was a bad goal to give away but Leeds rallied. Healy had a shot deflected to safety, Pugh volleyed wide and Lennon had a shot saved by the keeper as Crewe pulled nine and ten players back to defend their lead with disciplined defence. Lennon again went close after the interval and Pugh almost got on the end of one of the youngsters crosses, but it was Crewe who scored next and it just about killed off the game as a contest. The home defence failed to deal with an Ashton flick-on from a Lunt free-kick and Rivers made no mistake as he rammed the ball into the net.

Lennon, Kilgallon and Richardson attempted to inject some life to the later proceedings but even the introduction of Einarrson had no effect on the Crewe defence or the score-sheet. Einarsson replaced the ineffective Pugh on sixty-two minutes and Wright, who also had had a shocker, was finally replaced by Walton after seventy-two minutes. To make matters worse Paul Butler received his second yellow card of the day when he hauled down Varney and the consequent red meant that he would miss the next two games. Simon Walton rattled the bar in the dying moments and Healy forced Ince to a last-minute save to keep his goal intact as United stayedfourteenth but had again lowered their flag to inferior opposition.

United fielded their youngest side yet, as some changes were forced and others were positional, as they visited Highfield Road, home of Coventry City. Gary Kelly was replaced by Simon Walton, with Richardson switching to right back and Pugh going to left-back and Walton into his place in midfield. Clarke Carlisle came into central defence for the suspended Paul Butler. They finished the festive season on a high note with another fine victory, as United completed another double at their expense.

After their poor showing against Crewe the strikers and midfield had plenty to prove, and this they did with a much enhanced performance. Blake and Healy buzzed with renewed vigour and each was rewarded with fine strikes. The only downside was the dismissal of Clarke Carlisle after being twice debatably shown a yellow card. His dismissal sparked a desperate rearguard action in the last few minutes as Coventry searched for an equalizer. United dictated play for three-quarters of the game and were far more convincing winners than the 2-1 score-line suggested.

Sullivan was almost redundant; the central defensive partnership of Carlisle and Kilgallon was tremendous while Richardson and Pugh were neat and tidy and snuffed out any threat down the flanks. Gregan was commanding in front of the back-four. Walton worked tirelessly, and he and Wright showed neat touches. Lennon was very tricky on the right and seemed to cause all teams trouble with his pace and crosses. Blake was a strong presence and became a firm fan favourite when, in the twenty-eighth minute, he hit a real net-buster to open the scoring with his first goal for the club. He was so pleased with the strike that he wanted to hug everyone in the ground but the referee booked him before he had completed the first few rows. The referee had a penchant for flashing the yellow cards at any remote opportunity, and this was to be Carlisle's problem later in the game, as he booked players with little provocation, but gay abandon. United doubled their lead after the hour mark as Healy struck. Blake and Richardson were involved in some lovely build-up play before Wright intelligently fed Healy who cut inside a back-pedalling defender and bent a left-footed shot beyond the reach of the diving keeper.

This raised chants from the home crowd for the dismissal of their former Leeds boss Peter Reid. Not content with that they greeted the introduction of former Coventry favourite Julian Joachim for Blake in the seventy-eighth minute by vicious booing, which he answered in the best possible way, with two superb runs just to show what he is capable of. The home fans did respond when in the late flurry they had a glimmer of hope when they scored eight minutes from time after a corner was not cleared. The glimmer became larger as Carlisle was sent off two minutes later and United hung on grimly for the remaining six minutes and the inevitable injury time and Sullivan finally had to earn his wages with a fine save in the dying minutes.

It was United's third double of the season, a rare occurrence in recent seasons, but they stayed in fourteenth position and were happy to get three wins out of the last four.

In the FA Cup there was a visit to St Andrews to play EPL Club Birmingham City in the Third Round Tie. With the absence from suspension of both Butler and Carlisle, there was a return to the team for Michael Duberry, and Gary Kelly also returned with Richardson switching to left back and Pugh dropping to the bench. United slipped quietly out of the competition at the first hurdle for the third time in four years after failing to recover from a string of early set backs. They gifted two early goals and were never in the race after that, and try as they may, it was men against boys. The youngsters gave all they had and substitute Danny Pugh, Richardson and Kilgallon all had fine games against far more experienced opponents. The damage was done early in the game and by the time Duberry had limped out of the game after twenty-two minutes they were already 2-0 down and had to make their second reshuffle as Blake had already ruptured a hamstring and been replaced by Joachim minutes earlier, and now Pugh took Duberry's place as Gregan was pulled back into central defence with Pugh in midfield. United had hardly settled down before they found themselves chasing the game. Heskey tookadvantage of the Leeds defence being all at sea to chip Sullivan in the eleventh minute.

The second soon followed when Duberry, who had been recalled from a loan spell at Stoke City, was dispossessed in the middle of the field and Birmingham had a clear path to goal. It was to be Duberry's final game for Leeds and on his woeful presence in this game and his previous effort at Sheffield United he would not be missed. Although United battled well and often tested the Birmingham keeper there was always the impression that the hosts always had something in reserve and in the end, while Leeds possessed the hardest workers,Birmingham had the extra class that decided the tie. It was a different Leeds after the departure of Duberry as his replacement Danny Pugh totally revitalized United and maybe he was out to prove that he should have been in the starting eleven.

Healy, Kilgallon and Walton all had chances in the first half while the Birmingham Keeper Taylor pulled off a stunning double save to deny Richardson and Joachim early in the second half. He also stood tall to block a Lennon volley on the hour mark, but United were made to pay for their profligacy when Morrison provided Carter with the chance to score his second five minutes later. Later Wright and Lennon both went close but it was always going to be a bridge too far and Birmingham ran out 3-0 winners but the score flattered them.

Butler returned from suspension in place of Duberry, Joachim took the place of the injured Blake and Pugh regained his midfield spot as Gregan was ill and Wright slipped back into Gregan's place in front of the back four as United entertained Cardiff City at Elland Road. There was also a place on the bench for loan signing Leandre Griffit from Southampton, but he did not get a run.

It should have been a routine victory against a team sitting in the bottom four but it ended with United clinging on to secure a point. United ripped Cardiff apart for almost half an hour with some very entertaining football but then slowly lost their way as the game progressed and another controversial penalty handed Cardiff the opportunity to score a deserved equalizer. Simon Walton scored his first ever League goal at Elland Road after just fourteen minutes when he finished off a lovely move involving both Lennon and Healy and Leeds were in early control. That was as good as it got and, after threatening a rout and playing some great football, United slowly found themselves pegged back in a game they should have gone on to dominated. Wright, Pugh and Walton gradually lost the midfield and faded badly, while Lennon too was clearly not up to it and was replaced by Carlisle after 57 minutes. Six minutes earlier, Cardiff had drawn level from the penalty spot. It came in controversial fashion as Langley nudged the ball too far past Sullivan and then took a tumble over the keeper's body and hit the deck. Thorne gratefully accepted the gift and scored from the spot. It changed the complexion of the game and United really lost the plot from there on and it was only the visitors who looked capable of claiming the three points. Thorne had a couple of attempts to test Sullivan, Collins went close from a set piece and Inamoto brought out the best in Sullivan with an audacious chip from distance. United were solid in defence throughout and they formed a wall which never looked like being breached and the fans were left to ponder whether it had been a valuable point gained or two precious points dropped as United maintained fourteenth spot.

There was talk of administration and the possible deduction of ten points which, if implemented, would put United right in the relegation dogfight. On the financial front there was talk of Alan Leighton emerging as a key figure in the Leeds United rescue bid. While some might view this akin to putting Dracula in charge of the Blood Bank there was talk of him being part of the Norman Stubbs consortium according to some sources. Leighton supposedly tabled a bid for the club eleven months previous and this would be his second time of stepping out of the shadows to mount a rescue package for United. He had been Deputy Chairman under previous regimes and was seen to be just as deeply implicated in the financial mismanagement as Ridsdale and others even more so when taking into account his fiduciary duty to maintain a watch over his co-directors. Leighton was involved during the clubs heady days of just three years ago but stepped down the previous December supposedly to mount a rescue bid. It never eventuated and some thought that it was mainly a cover to backslide away from the crisis in the same way as his former Co-Directors. The Stubbs consortium met to decide if they would press ahead with their investment package. The group had completed the due diligence procedure but were concerned about the club's precarious financial position and whether £11 million would be enough to secure the long term future. Leighton was one of four investors in the group, who would be putting their own money in and the meeting was expected to prove crucial in deciding the club's future. Experts in the field were reported to have warned the group against investing and if they proceeded they could need the assistance of the main creditors to ease the burden. The current debt stood at around £25 million but would rise again should there be any default on any further payments. Payments due to the Inland Revenue for PAYE and VAT were overdue. Indeed the Inland Revenue could have put a winding-up order on the club after it defaulted on a £1.2 million payment during the previous month. The American Bondholders were thought to be due for a payment in the next month. Leeds had appealed to former managers and players, who were owed money to come to a revised agreement in order to help the investment procedure. It was believed that United still owed £8 million in football debts. The Stubbs consortium could also have sought the backing of leading figures in the city in the hope of securing further investment to bridge the gap between their ready cash and the amount required. Failure to come to an agreement within the next forty-eight hours would have left the club on the brink of administration. Chairman Gerald Krasner had admitted that the prospect of calling in the administrators was a real threat if an investment deal could not be secured, but it was also thought that they could still have kept the wolves from the door. The current board signed a "whitewash agreement" when they took control of the club undertaking that the club would remain solvent for a minimum of twelve months. Some financial experts believed that, without further investment, administration was inevitable. Administration would have seen the club docked ten league points under the new League rules and this would have put United deep in the relegation battle as they would have slipped into the bottom three should the deduction have become fact.

One week previous, Sainsbury, who was believed to have investors ready to back a £25 million takeover of the Championship club, had said: "I can confirm a meeting took place last Thursday with Ken Bates during which a potential investment was discussed". Bates had added: "I have been linked with so many clubs and if they were all true it would take it up to thirty-eight. I cannot help what these people say. It is utter rubbish."

So maybe Mr Sainsbury was more than a little surprised when Bates swiftly moved in to make a bid which the Leeds Board accepted while disregarding the other bids from himself and other consortiums. Ken Bates, the former owner of Chelsea, made a remarkable return to football as chairman of Leeds United, insisting that he wanted to lead the club back to their former glories and relished "one more challenge".

Bates, 73, bought a fifty per cent stake in the club for £10 million. He headed a four-strong board which also included Peter Lorimer, the Leeds legend, who continued in his role as director and point of contact for the fans. The takeover should have eliminated the threat of administration for Leeds, who were top of the Premiership as recently as three years previous. Bates ended a ten-month exile from football after leaving Chelsea, which he had sold to Roman Abramovich for £17 million. Bates said "I'm delighted to be stepping up to the mantel at such a fantastic club. I recognise Leeds United are a great club that have fallen on hard times.We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to get the club back to where it belongs in the Premiership and with the help of the fans, who have stuck by the club through thick and thin, we're going to do everything in our power to ensure that happens. Our first task will be to put short, medium and long-term plans in place to secure the financial future of the club and thesewill include buying back, in due course, Elland Road and Thorp Arch. Fans could then ensure that no would-be property developer will be able to end the playing of football at Elland Road."

Former chairman Gerald Krasner was forced to sell Elland Road and the Thorp Arch training ground last year to Manchester-based property developer Jacob Adler to ease the club's debts. Leeds were eight points off the play-offs but Bates did not want promotion in the current season. "I'm not sure whether getting to the play-offs is realistic or not but I wouldn't like us to get promoted this season" he said. "If you go up too soon you only come down again. Maybe if we can win promotion in the next couple of seasons, establish ourselves in the Premiership, get a top six place and go back into Europe." Bates also reassured Manager Kevin Blackwell about his future; saying "He has got a contract until the end of next season, so I'll tell him to go out and prove himself. He has had a difficult job to do. I'm not looking to bring anyone in and I will help him however I can."

Bates also paid tribute to Krasner and his fellow directors who had assumed control in March 2004. "Gerald Krasner and his team have performed miracles by reducing the club's debts from £103 million a year ago to a present figure of £21 million. Obviously, everything has had to be sold," Bates added. "Though the old Board have done eighty per cent of the work they needed someone else to finish off the job. We have bought the shares in the club for a nominalconsideration and now it's a question of working capital. It's no exaggeration to say Leeds are very hard up. It's going to be a tough job and the first task is to stabilise the cash flow and sort out the remaining creditors. But there is light at the end of a very long tunnel. For the past year it has been a matter of fire-fighting - now we can start running the club again. Among the existing debts are £8 million owed to former managers and players.

"This is a good day for Leeds United which dispels all the rumours," said Blackwell, who was appointed last May. "What I will say is that I've just started building something here and I hope I get a chance to finish it." So hopefully there had now been a return to stable financial responsibility and the Manager, Coaching Staff, and players could concentrate on football.

Ken Bates ushered in a new Elland Road era by declaring: "Today is the first day of a new Leeds United." The former Chelsea Chairman staved off the threat of administration when his United rescue package was finalised in the early hours of today. Bates becomes United Chairman with immediate effect and former Chelsea Finance Director Yvonne Todd, his lawyer Mark Taylor and Elland Road legend Peter Lorimer are all on the new-look Board. Bates said: "Today is the first day of a new Leeds United. I'd ask people not to expect miracles. I'm promising nothing, but will work hard to achieve. There's a lot of hard work to be done and I'm looking forward to it. I am delighted to be stepping up to the mantle at such a fantastic club. I recognise that Leeds United is a great club that has fallen on hard times. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to get the club back to where it belongs in the Premiership and with the help of the fans, who have stuck by the club through thick and thin, we are going to do everything in our power to ensure that happens. Our first task will be to put plans in place to secure the financial future of the club and these will include buying back, in due course, Elland Road and Thorp Arch. We will also be looking at ways in which the fans can control the football pitch itself. Fans could then ensure that no would-be property developer will be able to end the playing of football at Elland Road. The previous directors, including Chairman Gerald Krasner, have all stepped down, but have pledged their assistance during the handover." The departing board members were understood to have left around £4.5m in loans in the club to ease the process. Krasner said: "This deal was done for the benefit of the football club. We sat down with Mr Bates and he never wavered. He behaved like a true football man. I'm sure when the fans learn of his long-term plans they will see this was done for Leeds United."

Bates's takeover was believed to have taken less than seventy-two hours. Krasner and fellow director Melvyn Levi met him in London on the Monday afternoon when the outline of a deal was thrashed out. The remainder of the board threw their weight behind the bid at a series of meetings yesterday. They also considered two other offers, one of which was a revised bid by Leeds-based businessman Norman Stubbs. Although his consortium had been in discussions with the club's major creditors, they were pipped to the post when Bates firmed up his bid. Bates, whose first chairmanship was at Oldham in 1965, inherited a club with debts of around £20m and he was quick to pay tribute to the work of the outgoing board. His arrival will put an end to speculation that United are about to slip into administration.

The new era was marked by a rare piece of good fortune as Leeds faced Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

A shocking own goal by Wayne Thomas completed a day of celebration for United as the rejuvenated club continued their climb up the Coca Cola Championship League table. The single goal victory came less than thirty-six hours after Ken Bates had stepped in to secure the club's longer term future. Bates was not on hand to see the win but it is just as well as he would not have been impressed with the first forty-five minutes, which was about as bad as any half can get. It was far different in the second half when United showed character and determination as they took their game to a higher level by taking a positive approach.

4,000 fans had made the trip and they were extremely vocal and played no small part in inspiring their favourites to victory. Only forty-eight hours before, the players had been told the club did not have the finance to pay their wages, yet a new owner emerged from the shadows and in a whirlwind couple of days the whole outlook had changed again.

There was a return for the influential Sean Gregan, restored to his position in front of the back four, as Wright was pushed up from Gregan’s position to replace Walton. Carlisle took over from Kilgallon in central defence and Deane replaced Joachim up front. There was a place on the bench for Paul Harrison, on loan from Liverpool as part of the deal which took Scott Carson to them for £1 million.

The first half was no spectacle in terms of entertainment and the number of United attacks could be counted on one hand. In contrast Stoke created three excellent opportunities and tested Neil Sullivan a few times from close range. Stoke were physical and direct and tested the Leeds defence early on, but once Butler and Carlisle had gained their composure there was never any chance of them scoring. Kelly and Richardson shutdown any trouble down the flanks, while Neil Sullivan was in top form in goal and starred as he kept a clean sheet. Lennon struggled throughout and seemed to be unfit and was replaced by Joachim at half time, and he showed a greater willingness to run at the Stoke defence. Danny Pugh got himself embroiled in an ugly incident, where punches were thrown and several players were involved in scuffles. Leeds were rewarded for their dogged fight twenty minutes from time when Lady Luck at last shone on United. David Healy whipped in a cross from the right, Thomas, who was under no pressure, took a swipe at it and somehow the ball swung goal-wards and left a scrambling keeper with no chance as it spun into the net. United pulled down the shutters and held on to take a vital victory. The win took Leeds up to eleventh in the table.

Joachim and Ricketts replaced Lennon and Deane as United visited the resurgent Derby County at Pride Park. Statistically Derby County had not beaten United in any game for eighteen years but two second half goals left United wondering of what could have been as the record came to an end. After battling for 60 minutes United were beaten at their own game as Derby twice scored on the breakaway to win 2-0, but there could be little to complain about by United. They had battled hard for a good hour but were under heavy pressure and something had to give, but they were certainly second best and Derby look like a good bet for at least a play-off position. They had improved a lot since being defeated at Elland Road in the opening fixture and were well organized, hard working and played good football.

United found them hard to handle and could not impose themselves on the game, despite a strong spell early in the second half. At times possession was squandered too easily and this meant that Derby resumed their siege of the Leeds goal. The United defence had looked uncharacteristically suspect particularly with an offside trap that was out of sync. With the defence under pressure it meant that both Gregan and Wright were back to supplement it and the midfield suffered accordingly. Sullivan, who played with a suspected broken thumb, pulled off two stunning early saves while Butler was resolute in central defence and managed several crucial challenges. Derby, who looked good going forward, looked vulnerable at the back but although United had some periods of possession they were unable to profit. Ricketts clattered the Derby keeper after twenty seconds and it set the tone for the match, and Pugh and Gregan were not taking prisoners in midfield.

Healy tested the keeper in the opening period, Gregan had a shot deflected over the bar and Pugh put a header wide after great work by Wright and Joachim. Derby were content to pepper Sullivan from distance, which caused him little discomfort and half-time came goalless. United finally threw off the shackles and had a purple patch for fifteen minutes after the interval. They nearly had a repeat fluke own goal when Johnson sliced a Healy cross inches wide of his own goal. Carlisle had an appeal for a penalty for handball turned down, while Healy saw a shot saved at the second attempt by the keeper. Unfortunately United failed to capitalize on their superiority and were caught on the break and Smith held off the challenge of Richardson and Sullivan coolly slot it home. Once behind Leeds relied more on graft than craft and while creating a couple of half chances they were ineffective and the introduction of Leandre Griffit for his debut in place of Joachim after 65 minutes, the replacing of Ricketts by Deane four minutes later, or Walton replacing Wright after 75 minutes, were not able to produce the required result. It came as no surprise that once again Derby scored when a shot was deflected off Richardson and beyond the reach of the stranded keeper and, despite four minutes injury time, Derby ran out worthy winners but United remained in eleventh spot.

Bates met the fans. His intention from the outset was not to please everyone, and he may have entered the bear pit of last night's fans forum expecting to please no-one. But as he rose to a standing ovation "the likes of which are no longer distributed freely at Elland Road" at the end of an enthusiastic but constructive verbal joust, he may have felt that an early battle in his long war had already been won. The brash and thorough control he exerted on the Press hours earlier was evident again, mixed in with a sense of humour which wasappreciated by most. Criticism of him would be acceptable, he told a busy if not full banqueting suite, provided those firing shots could accept a volley in return, and the crowd was happy to play by his rules. Alongside but largely in the shadows sat out-going Chairman Gerald Krasner and Bates' wife Suzannah, whose shy reluctance could not have differed more from her husband's brimming confidence. They were hungry, Bates joked, "and I noticed there's a chip shop over the road", but in truth he was happy to be feasting once more at the table of top-level football. In his own words, it is what he does best.

Bates spoke at length about his immediate plans, indulged in complete silence broken only by the occasional laugh. "All mobile phones off, thank you," he immediately ordered, and a shaven-headed fan whose ringtone later broke his chain of thought was asked: "Are you going to give us a cabaret? Oh, and get your hair cut." The mood was barely dampened by his occasional slip of the tongue which saw the mouth say Chelsea when the brain was thinking Leeds, an indication of how much his work and achievements at Stamford Bridge still dominate his thinking. The rows of supporters in front of Bates were more concerned with the substance of his takeover than his quality of public speaking. "You've had so many false starts over the years and you're sick of it," he said, summing up in one sentence the mood of the forum. "But there will be changes and some will affect the fans. Any change pleases A, and upsets B. All I ask of you is to put Leeds United first and be part of the team that's going to put Leeds United back where it should be." His authority over the floor was unyielding and carefully-constructed points were repeatedly met with a demand to "just ask the question". Those questions ranged from the sceptical to the quietly optimistic: Bates was asked directly whether Krasner had "backed the right team" on this occasion after involving Geoffrey Richmond durin