The 2004-05 season proved to be another challenging chapter in the history of Leeds United. Following their relegation from the Premier League, the club faced significant financial difficulties and management changes that impacted their performance in the Championship.
Chairman Changes
Leeds United experienced another shift in leadership during the season. Initially led by Gerald Krasner, who held the position until 21 January 2005, the club’s fortunes began to change when Ken Bates took over as chairman. Bates, known for his previous tenure at Chelsea, invested £10 million for a 50% stake in the club. This move was critical in averting administration, providing much-needed financial stability.
On the Pitch Struggles
The season began with optimism, highlighted by a promising opening-day victory against Derby County. However, Leeds struggled to maintain this momentum. Their performance mirrored that of the previous season, and they spent a significant portion of the first half of the campaign in the relegation zone, looking at the possibility of a second consecutive drop.
Key Player Contributions
Mark Viduka emerged as the club’s top scorer for the season, netting 12 goals. His contributions were vital, but the team relied heavily on a mix of loan players and experienced professionals nearing the end of their careers, as manager Kevin Blackwell worked tirelessly to rebuild a competitive squad under challenging circumstances.
Financial Difficulties
As Leeds United navigated through the season, the financial crisis deepened. The club was forced to sell both their training ground for £4.2 million and Elland Road stadium in the autumn of 2004. These decisions reflected the harsh realities the club faced in a post-Premier League era, as they sought to reduce their financial liabilities.
Cup Competitions
In addition to their league struggles, Leeds participated in both the FA Cup and the League Cup, reaching the third round in each competition. Unfortunately, these early exits limited their chances to create a memorable cup run.
Season Conclusion
Despite the difficulties, Leeds United managed to finish the 2004-05 season in a relatively safe 14th place in the Championship. The latter part of the season saw an improvement in form, particularly after the arrival of Ken Bates as chairman. His leadership brought a renewed sense of hope and direction, allowing the club to stabilize and plan for the future.
The challenges faced during the 2004-05 season set the stage for Leeds United’s ongoing journey toward reclaiming their status in English football.
Championship 2004-2005 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunderland (C, P) | 46 | 29 | 7 | 10 | 76 | 41 | +35 | 94 |
| 2 | Wigan Athletic (P) | 46 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 79 | 35 | +44 | 87 |
| 3 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 85 | 56 | +29 | 85 |
| 4 | Derby County | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 71 | 60 | +11 | 76 |
| 5 | Preston North End | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 67 | 58 | +9 | 75 |
| 6 | West Ham United (O, P) | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 66 | 56 | +10 | 73 |
| 7 | Reading | 46 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 51 | 44 | +7 | 70 |
| 8 | Sheffield United | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 57 | 56 | +1 | 67 |
| 9 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 15 | 21 | 10 | 72 | 59 | +13 | 66 |
| 10 | Millwall | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 51 | 45 | +6 | 66 |
| 11 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 54 | 58 | −4 | 62 |
| 12 | Stoke City | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 36 | 38 | −2 | 61 |
| 13 | Burnley | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 38 | 39 | −1 | 60 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 46 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 49 | 52 | −3 | 60 |
| 15 | Leicester City | 46 | 12 | 21 | 13 | 49 | 46 | +3 | 57 |
| 16 | Cardiff City | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 48 | 51 | −3 | 54 |
| 17 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 52 | 64 | −12 | 53 |
| 18 | Watford | 46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 52 | 59 | −7 | 52 |
| 19 | Coventry City | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 61 | 73 | −12 | 52 |
| 20 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 46 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 40 | 65 | −25 | 51 |
| 21 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 66 | 86 | −20 | 50 |
| 22 | Gillingham (R) | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 45 | 66 | −21 | 50 |
| 23 | Nottingham Forest (R) | 46 | 9 | 17 | 20 | 42 | 66 | −24 | 44 |
| 24 | Rotherham United (R) | 46 | 5 | 14 | 27 | 35 | 69 | −34 | 29 |
Leeds United 2004-05 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Championship | 07 Aug 2004 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 10 Aug 2004 | Gillingham v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 14 Aug 2004 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 21 Aug 2004 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | D | 1-1 |
| League Cup | 24 Aug 2004 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 29 Aug 2004 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 11 Sep 2004 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 3-0 |
| League Championship | 14 Sep 2004 | Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 18 Sep 2004 | Crewe Alexandra v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Cup | 21 Sep 2004 | Leeds United v Swindon Town | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 24 Sep 2004 | Leeds United v Sunderland | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 28 Sep 2004 | Leeds United v Stoke City | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 02 Oct 2004 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 16 Oct 2004 | Leeds United v Preston North End | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 19 Oct 2004 | Reading v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 23 Oct 2004 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Cup | 26 Oct 2004 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 31 Oct 2004 | Leeds United v Wigan Athletic | L | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 03 Nov 2004 | Leeds United v Burnley | L | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 06 Nov 2004 | Preston North End v Leeds United | W | 2-4 |
| League Championship | 13 Nov 2004 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 20 Nov 2004 | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers | W | 6-1 |
| League Championship | 24 Nov 2004 | Leeds United v Watford | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 29 Nov 2004 | Rotherham United v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 04 Dec 2004 | Leeds United v Leicester City | L | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 10 Dec 2004 | West Ham United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 19 Dec 2004 | Leeds United v Millwall | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 26 Dec 2004 | Sunderland v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| League Championship | 28 Dec 2004 | Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 01 Jan 2005 | Leeds United v Crewe Alexandra | L | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 03 Jan 2005 | Coventry City v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| FA Cup | 08 Jan 2005 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League Championship | 15 Jan 2005 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 22 Jan 2005 | Stoke City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 26 Jan 2005 | Derby County v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 29 Jan 2005 | Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 05 Feb 2005 | Burnley v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 12 Feb 2005 | Leeds United v Reading | W | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 19 Feb 2005 | Wigan Athletic v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League Championship | 26 Feb 2005 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 06 Mar 2005 | Millwall v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 12 Mar 2005 | Leeds United v Gillingham | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 16 Mar 2005 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 02 Apr 2005 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 05 Apr 2005 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | L | 0-4 |
| League Championship | 09 Apr 2005 | Watford v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 16 Apr 2005 | Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 23 Apr 2005 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 01 May 2005 | Leicester City v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 08 May 2005 | Leeds United v Rotherham United | D | 0-0 |
