The 2005-06 season was a pivotal chapter for Leeds United, showcasing potential and ambition under the management of Kevin Blackwell. The club aimed for promotion back to the Premier League and finished the Championship in 5th place, earning a spot in the play-offs.
New Signings and Tactical Approach
As the season kicked off, Leeds United brought in several key players during the summer transfer window. The club’s strategy centered around achieving promotion, and Blackwell’s tactics played a crucial role. His ability to adapt strategies for away games while maintaining an attacking style at home yielded impressive results early in the season.
By the end of February, Leeds was riding high in 3rd place in the Championship, setting the stage for a potential promotion. However, a downturn in form after February proved detrimental to their campaign.
Late-Season Slump
Following their promising start, Leeds experienced a significant slump, managing to collect just 4 points from a possible 18 in their final games. This poor form raised concerns among fans and pundits alike, leading to a nervous finish to the season.
Despite the struggles, Leeds secured a play-off position, which offered a final chance at promotion.
Play-Off Drama
In the first round of the play-offs, Leeds faced Preston North End. After a tense 1-1 draw at Elland Road, Leeds turned the tide in the second leg, winning 2-0 and advancing to the final. The anticipation was palpable, as fans hoped for a triumphant return to the Premier League.
However, the play-off final held at the Millennium Stadium on 21 May ended in disappointment. Leeds United succumbed to a heavy 3-0 defeat against Watford, dashing their dreams of promotion.
Top Scorer: Rob Hulse
Throughout the season, Rob Hulse emerged as the team’s leading scorer, netting a total of 14 goals in all competitions. His contributions were vital in helping Leeds secure their play-off spot and remain competitive in the Championship.
Other Competitions
Leeds United also participated in the FA Cup and League Cup, but their journeys in both tournaments ended early, reaching only the third round in each.
Conclusion: A Mixed Season
The 2005-06 season was marked by highs and lows for Leeds United. While they demonstrated great promise under Kevin Blackwell, the disappointing finish and subsequent defeat in the play-off final left fans with a mix of hope and frustration. As some supporters looked forward to the next season with optimism, others voiced concerns about the team’s ability to maintain form.
The challenges of the previous season would shape the club’s approach moving forward, and fans remained hopeful that Leeds United would soon find their way back to the Premier League.
Championship 2005-06 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading (C, P) | 46 | 31 | 13 | 2 | 99 | 32 | +67 | 106 |
| 2 | Sheffield United (P) | 46 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 76 | 46 | +30 | 90 |
| 3 | Watford (O, P) | 46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 77 | 53 | +24 | 81 |
| 4 | Preston North End | 46 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 59 | 30 | +29 | 80 |
| 5 | Leeds United | 46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 57 | 38 | +19 | 78 |
| 6 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 67 | 48 | +19 | 75 |
| 7 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 50 | 42 | +8 | 67 |
| 8 | Coventry City | 46 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 62 | 65 | −3 | 63 |
| 9 | Norwich City | 46 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 56 | 65 | −9 | 62 |
| 10 | Luton Town | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 66 | 67 | −1 | 61 |
| 11 | Cardiff City | 46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 58 | 59 | −1 | 60 |
| 12 | Southampton | 46 | 13 | 19 | 14 | 49 | 50 | −1 | 58 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 46 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 54 | 63 | −9 | 58 |
| 14 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 39 | 46 | −7 | 56 |
| 15 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 53 | 66 | −13 | 56 |
| 16 | Leicester City | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 51 | 59 | −8 | 54 |
| 17 | Burnley | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 46 | 54 | −8 | 54 |
| 18 | Hull City | 46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 49 | 55 | −6 | 52 |
| 19 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 39 | 52 | −13 | 52 |
| 20 | Derby County | 46 | 10 | 20 | 16 | 53 | 67 | −14 | 50 |
| 21 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 50 | 65 | −15 | 50 |
| 22 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 57 | 86 | −29 | 42 |
| 23 | Millwall | 46 | 8 | 16 | 22 | 35 | 62 | −27 | 40 |
| 24 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 46 | 7 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 71 | −32 | 38 |
Leeds United 2005-06 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Championship | 07 Aug 2005 | Leeds United v Millwall | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 09 Aug 2005 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 13 Aug 2005 | Luton Town v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 20 Aug 2005 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | W | 2-0 |
| League Cup | 23 Aug 2005 | Leeds United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 27 Aug 2005 | Norwich City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 10 Sep 2005 | Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion | D | 3-3 |
| League Championship | 13 Sep 2005 | Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 17 Sep 2005 | Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Cup | 20 Sep 2005 | Rotherham United v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 24 Sep 2005 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | L | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 28 Sep 2005 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 01 Oct 2005 | Watford v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 15 Oct 2005 | Burnley v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 18 Oct 2005 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 21 Oct 2005 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 |
| League Cup | 25 Oct 2005 | Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League Championship | 29 Oct 2005 | Reading v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 01 Nov 2005 | Crewe Alexandra v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 05 Nov 2005 | Leeds United v Preston North End | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 19 Nov 2005 | Southampton v Leeds United | W | 3-4 |
| League Championship | 22 Nov 2005 | Leeds United v Burnley | W | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 26 Nov 2005 | Millwall v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 03 Dec 2005 | Leeds United v Leicester City | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 10 Dec 2005 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 17 Dec 2005 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 26 Dec 2005 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 28 Dec 2005 | Stoke City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 31 Dec 2005 | Leeds United v Hull City | W | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 02 Jan 2006 | Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| FA Cup | 07 Jan 2006 | Wigan Athletic v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 14 Jan 2006 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| FA Cup | 17 Jan 2006 | Leeds United v Wigan Athletic | L | 3-3 (2-4) |
| League Championship | 21 Jan 2006 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 3-0 |
| League Championship | 31 Jan 2006 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 04 Feb 2006 | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers | W | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 11 Feb 2006 | Derby County v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 14 Feb 2006 | Leeds United v Watford | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 18 Feb 2006 | Leicester City v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 25 Feb 2006 | Leeds United v Luton Town | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 04 Mar 2006 | Crystal Palace v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 11 Mar 2006 | Leeds United v Norwich City | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 18 Mar 2006 | Coventry City v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 21 Mar 2006 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 25 Mar 2006 | Leeds United v Stoke City | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 01 Apr 2006 | Hull City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 08 Apr 2006 | Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 15 Apr 2006 | Leeds United v Reading | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 18 Apr 2006 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 22 Apr 2006 | Leeds United v Crewe Alexandra | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 30 Apr 2006 | Preston North End v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Championship Play-Offs | 05 May 2006 | Leeds United v Preston North End | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship Play-Offs | 08 May 2006 | Preston North End v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League Championship Play-Offs | 21 May 2006 | Leeds United v Watford | L | 0-3 |
