By the summer of 2003, it was clear Leeds United were in trouble. After reaching the Champions League semi-final only two years earlier, financial turmoil was in the pipeline.
In the wake of a difficult 02/03 season, the next season would prove to be worse. We were relegated to the league we now remain in. But just where is that team from the horrifying season now?
Paul Robinson
Robbo was proving to be a valuable replacement to club legend Nigel Martyn.
The England no. 1 was best known for his world-class header in the cup against Swindon to win the game.
Robbo is now retired after playing for Spurs, Blackburn and Burnley, where he was more commonly known as concrete feet.
Gary Kelly
Kelly is a club legend in his own right and was one of the few players to stay after relegation.
The Irishman is, himself, retired now but continued as a one-club-man, making over 500 appearances.
Shay Given described him as one of the funniest players he played with. It’s reported on nights out he would run into hedges for no reason.
Ian Harte
Quite incredibly, Harte is the nephew of Kelly and would often revel in his antics.
Harte was a cult hero at Leeds known for his wand of a left foot scoring belter free-kicks.
After the relegation, Harte went to Spain, playing for Levante. After unsuccessful spells with Sunderland and Blackpool, he had an enjoyable end to his career with Carlisle, Reading and Bournemouth.
These days, he can be found at the Leeds training ground complaining no one speaks English.
Lucas Radebe
‘The Chief’ is again a club great. Radebe again, stayed with the club after relegation, where he eventually retired.
His heroics are recognised for going in-goal for Leeds at Old Trafford when Leeds went down to ten men.
Dom Matteo
He scored a f*****g great goal in the San Siro. That is his legacy.
Matteo was a huge favourite at Elland Road but departed for Blackburn following relegation.
The powerhouse defender admitted to blowing £1 million gambling on horses but returned to Leeds as a club ambassador in 2013.
Michael Duberry
A lot of people don’t realise just how long Dubes was at Leeds.
The former Chelsea man signed in 1999 and left the club the season after relegation, having made four appearances in the Championship.
Some wonder how he ended up first-choice. The answer? Backup options were Zoumana Camara and Roque Junior.
James Milner
Jimmy Milner remains a cult hero at Leeds for his constant remarks about the club. Milner often says his wish is to return to Elland Road.
A boyhood Leeds fan, Milner talked how he turned up to Thorpe Arch after relegation expecting to sign a new contract, only to be told he was off to Newcastle.
Seth Johnson
Seth Johnson’s legacy is something really not his fault. He is unfortunately always going to be remembered as the man we signed for £10 million because we wouldn’t pay £8 million for Frank Lampard.
Nonetheless, he was a prominent player in our last Premier League year. Johnson was later released the season after, joining Derby.
Jermaine Pennant
Before a time he was cheating on his wife on national television, he was once a key player for Leeds in their last Premier League year.
A promising player coming through at Arsenal, his efforts couldn’t save us from the drop. Perhaps because he didn’t have Ashley Cole with him.
I haven’t got all night to run through the rest of his career but 11 clubs later at 35, Big Brother is his current employment.
Mark Viduka
Will forever be remembered for his four world-class goals against Liverpool that made Ronaldo look average.
Viduka was always going to move on after relegation but will always be known as one of the all-time great strikers for the club.
The Aussie is now retired, having enjoyed another two good spells in the Premier League with Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
Alan Smith
Smith was always loved at Leeds. These days it’s a rather sensitive subject. naivety got the better of a young Smith when he declared he could “never” play for Manchester United.
We got relegated and of course, he joined that club in Salford.
He recently left Notts County where he was a player/coach and it is uncertain whether the boots have been hung up.
