Leeds United face one of their biggest final day matches in several years when they make the trip to Brentford on Sunday. The Whites’ Premier League status is hanging by a thread as Burnley and Everton also face a battle to avoid finishing in the final relegation place.
As it stands ahead of Thursday’s matches, Leeds currently sit 17th in the table, one point above Burnley in 18th, who face a trip to Aston Villa before their final day home match with Newcastle United. Everton also have a game in hand this week as they host Crystal Palace – and a win for them at Goodison Park would secure their safety.
Leeds last suffered relegation heartbreak from the top-flight back in the 2003/04 season, with a 4-1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers effectively sealing their fate. Here is a look at what happened next to the XI that started that day at the Reebok.
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Paul Robinson – goalkeeper
Upon Leeds’ relegation to the Championship, goalkeeper Paul Robinson had already been capped at senior level by England. That made retaining him an impossible task and as such he departed for Tottenham Hotspur, where he went onto make 175 appearances.
Gary Kelly – defender
The only player Leeds were able to retain from this starting XI was right-back Gary Kelly. Kelly went on to achieve a relatively rare occurrence in football nowadays by becoming a one club man with over 500 appearances at Elland Road.
Stephen Caldwell – defender
Stephen Caldwell was only on loan at Leeds for three months and the 4-1 loss at Bolton ended up being his final game for the club before being recalled by Newcastle United. Caldwell was released by the Magpies that summer and ended up joining North East rivals Sunderland, where he spent three seasons.
Michael Duberry - defender
Fellow centre back Michael Duberry did not depart Leeds permanently until a year after the club’s relegation to the Championship. He instead joined Stoke City on loan, which was then converted into a permanent deal the following summer.
Dominic Matteo – defender
After four years at Elland Road, and a memorable goal at the San Siro, Matteo left the club upon relegation to remain in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers. He didn’t quite enjoy the same success at Ewood Park as he struggled with injuries and made only 39 appearances in three years.
Ian Harte – defender
Another player who enjoyed some memorable Champions League moments in a Leeds shirt was Ian Harte. After over 200 appearances at the Whites, he made a very different move to the rest of his former teammates, joining La Liga side Levante.
James Milner – midfielder
The only player from the Leeds XI still playing is James Milner, who has won various trophies throughout his career at Manchester City and Liverpool. Upon leaving his boyhood club, though, he made the switch to Newcastle United, where he spent four years.
Stephen McPhail – midfielder
After seven years in the first team at Leeds, where he also progressed through the ranks as a youngster, McPhail made the move to Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley. It was at Cardiff City where he enjoyed the best time of his career after Leeds, though, with 219 appearances.
Jermaine Pennant – midfielder
Jermaine Pennant spent the season on loan at Leeds from Arsenal during the club’s relegation campaign. He then made the loan switch to Birmingham City midway through the following season, where he eventually moved permanently.
Alan Smith – striker
The most difficult to take of all departures from this XI was undoubtedly boyhood Leeds fan Alan Smith. He made the controversial switch to rivals Manchester United, where injures prevented him from ever hitting the heights of his Leeds days.
Mark Viduka – striker
A legend during his time at Leeds, the club’s relegation to the Championship signalled the end of Mark Viduka’s spell with the Whites. He was able to earn a Premier League move to Middlesbrough, where he also enjoyed a prolific time.
