THE Champions League semi-finals are a place for biggest names in Europe. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and AC Milan – four top-notch sides in this year’s latter stages. But six years ago Leeds broke that mould by reaching the last four, making them the talk of Europe. A breathtaking run of results – including wins over Milan, Lazio and, in the quarter-finals, Deportivo La Coruna – took them within a whisker of the 2001 final. Leeds eventually lost to Valencia – and that marked the start of their sharp decline. Three years later they were relegated from the Premiership and they are currently fighting to avoid the drop into League One.If they’re not careful, memories of the San Siro and Bernabeu will soon be replaced by the nightmare of trips to Port Vale and Bournemouth. More importantly, Leeds’ plight is a warning to the Premiership trio left in this year’s competition – all of whom have endured unsettling takeovers in the past few years. It would be wrong to suggest United, Chelsea or Liverpool are in danger of combusting. But Leeds’ financial woes demonstrates how quickly the good times can evaporate - and quick. A look at the Yorkshire side’s squad for their semi-final first leg against Valencia at Elland Road – which they drew 0-0 before succumbing in Spain – speaks volumes.
It included current England internationals Paul Robinson, Jonathon Woodgate, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith – the latter two will turn out for United against Milan tomorrow. Leeds were also able to call upon the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Dacourt, Nigel Martyn and Ian Harte – all of them in the prime of their careers.
But the star-packed squad was dismantled almost as quickly as it was put together as the club began its slide towards financial oblivion. Chairman Peter Ridsdale borrowed £60million in the assumption Leeds possessed the quality to qualify for the money pit of the Champions League year after year. But when that plan failed – Leeds never featured in the competition after losing the second leg in Valencia 3-0 – and the club sunk like a stone.
Burdened Ridsdale’s great expectations, they plummeted into the Championship with debts of over £100million. Defeat for 10-man Leeds at Southampton on Saturday edged them ever closer to English football's third tier - something that would have been unthinkable in the heady days of Ridsdale's big spending. And that thought will be even harder to stomach when they tune into this week's semi-finals. Europe's biggest stage is a million miles away right now.
Leeds glory menHere is the Leeds' side that faced Valencia in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Elland Road - but where are they now?
Nigel Martyn: Retired after stint with Everton
Danny Mills: Outcast at Manchester City
Ian Harte: In his third season with Spanish side Levante
Rio Ferdinand: Joined Man United for British record £30m
Dominic Matteo: Playing with Stoke in the Championship
Lee Bowyer: Braced for a second relegation with West Ham
Olivier Dacourt: Serie A title winner with Inter Milan
David Batty: Retired in 2004 after series of injuries
Harry Kewell: Struggling with injuries at Liverpool
Mark Viduka: Set to leave Middlesbrough this summer
Alan Smith: Back to his best at Manchester United
Subs: Paul Robinson (now at Tottenham), Gary Kelly (Leeds), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough), Stephen McPhail (Cardiff), Jason Wilcox (retired), Eirik Bakke (SK Brann), Jacob Burns (Wisla Krakow).