The 2006-07 season marked a tumultuous chapter in the history of Leeds United, as the club faced its first-ever relegation to League One. This article delves into the key events, managerial changes, and performances that defined a difficult year for the club.
Early Season Struggles
The season began poorly for Leeds, as the team frequently conceded late goals in matches. By September 2006, the situation became untenable, leading to the dismissal of manager Kevin Blackwell. His tenure ended on September 20, amid mounting pressure from fans and board members.
Managerial Changes
Following Blackwell’s departure, the club appointed John Carver as caretaker manager. However, his brief spell was marked by disappointing results, and he was relieved of his duties by October 23.
David Geddis served as a caretaker manager for a short period until Dennis Wise was appointed on October 24. Wise brought in several experienced players on loan and free transfers, attempting to revitalize the squad.
Key Players
Top Scorer: David Healy
One of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal season was David Healy, who emerged as the club’s top scorer with 10 goals. His contributions were vital, yet they were not enough to lift the team out of the relegation zone.
Cup Competitions
Leeds United participated in two major cup competitions during the season:
- FA Cup: Exited in the Third Round
- League Cup: Exited in the Third Round
These early exits further highlighted the struggles faced by the team across all competitions.
Mid-Season Decline
The turning point came after a shocking 5-1 defeat to Luton Town in late October, which left Leeds languishing in the relegation zone. Despite Wise’s attempts to bring in new talent, the team’s performance did not significantly improve. Notably, defender Matthew Kilgallon left the club in January, joining Sheffield United.
The Fight Against Relegation
As the season progressed, results did start to improve slightly. However, relegation rivals Hull City and Queens Park Rangers began to find their form, compounding Leeds’ difficulties. The team’s dismal goal difference further hindered their chances of survival.
Administration and Relegation
With relegation all but certain, Leeds United entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement (administration) on May 4, 2007. This move resulted in a 10-point deduction, officially sealing the club’s fate and relegating them to the third tier of English football.
Conclusion
The 2006-07 season was a watershed moment for Leeds United, filled with managerial turmoil and on-field struggles. The combination of administrative issues and poor performances led to the club’s historic relegation to League One, setting the stage for a long journey back to the top. As Leeds fans reflect on this season, it serves as a reminder of the highs and lows of football, and the resilience required to overcome adversity.
Championship 2006-2007 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunderland (C, P) | 46 | 27 | 7 | 12 | 76 | 47 | +29 | 88 |
| 2 | Birmingham City (P) | 46 | 26 | 8 | 12 | 67 | 42 | +25 | 86 |
| 3 | Derby County (O, P) | 46 | 25 | 9 | 12 | 62 | 46 | +16 | 84 |
| 4 | West Bromwich Albion | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 81 | 55 | +26 | 76 |
| 5 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 59 | 56 | +3 | 76 |
| 6 | Southampton | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 77 | 53 | +24 | 75 |
| 7 | Preston North End | 46 | 22 | 8 | 16 | 64 | 53 | +11 | 74 |
| 8 | Stoke City | 46 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 62 | 41 | +21 | 73 |
| 9 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 70 | 66 | +4 | 71 |
| 10 | Colchester United | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 70 | 56 | +14 | 69 |
| 11 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 63 | 62 | +1 | 67 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 58 | 50 | +8 | 65 |
| 13 | Cardiff City | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 57 | 53 | +4 | 64 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 64 | 59 | +5 | 62 |
| 15 | Burnley | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 52 | 49 | +3 | 57 |
| 16 | Norwich City | 46 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 56 | 71 | −15 | 57 |
| 17 | Coventry City | 46 | 16 | 8 | 22 | 47 | 62 | −15 | 56 |
| 18 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 54 | 68 | −14 | 53 |
| 19 | Leicester City | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 49 | 64 | −15 | 53 |
| 20 | Barnsley | 46 | 15 | 5 | 26 | 53 | 85 | −32 | 50 |
| 21 | Hull City | 46 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 51 | 67 | −16 | 49 |
| 22 | Southend United (R) | 46 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 47 | 80 | −33 | 42 |
| 23 | Luton Town (R) | 46 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 53 | 81 | −28 | 40 |
| 24 | Leeds United (R) | 46 | 13 | 7 | 26 | 46 | 72 | −26 | 36 |
Leeds United 2006-07 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Championship | 05 Aug 2006 | Leeds United v Norwich City | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 08 Aug 2006 | Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 13 Aug 2006 | Crystal Palace v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 19 Aug 2006 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | L | 0-1 |
| League Cup | 22 Aug 2006 | Leeds United v Chester City | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 27 Aug 2006 | Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 10 Sep 2006 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 13 Sep 2006 | Leeds United v Sunderland | L | 0-3 |
| League Championship | 16 Sep 2006 | Coventry City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Cup | 19 Sep 2006 | Leeds United v Barnet | W | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 23 Sep 2006 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 3-2 |
| League Championship | 30 Sep 2006 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | L | 4-2 |
| League Championship | 14 Oct 2006 | Leeds United v Stoke City | L | 0-4 |
| League Championship | 17 Oct 2006 | Leeds United v Leicester City | L | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 21 Oct 2006 | Luton Town v Leeds United | L | 5-1 |
| League Cup | 24 Oct 2006 | Leeds United v Southend United | L | 1-3 |
| League Championship | 28 Oct 2006 | Leeds United v Southend United | W | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 31 Oct 2006 | Preston North End v Leeds United | L | 4-1 |
| League Championship | 04 Nov 2006 | Barnsley v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| League Championship | 11 Nov 2006 | Leeds United v Colchester United | W | 3-0 |
| League Championship | 18 Nov 2006 | Leeds United v Southampton | L | 0-3 |
| League Championship | 25 Nov 2006 | Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 28 Nov 2006 | Burnley v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 02 Dec 2006 | Leeds United v Barnsley | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 09 Dec 2006 | Leeds United v Derby County | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 16 Dec 2006 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 23 Dec 2006 | Leeds United v Hull City | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 26 Dec 2006 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 30 Dec 2006 | Stoke City v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 01 Jan 2007 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 2-1 |
| FA Cup | 06 Jan 2007 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 20 Jan 2007 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | L | 2-3 |
| League Championship | 30 Jan 2007 | Hull City v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 03 Feb 2007 | Norwich City v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 10 Feb 2007 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 17 Feb 2007 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 20 Feb 2007 | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 24 Feb 2007 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 27 Feb 2007 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 03 Mar 2007 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | L | 2-3 |
| League Championship | 10 Mar 2007 | Leeds United v Luton Town | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 13 Mar 2007 | Leicester City v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 17 Mar 2007 | Southend United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 30 Mar 2007 | Leeds United v Preston North End | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 07 Apr 2007 | Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 09 Apr 2007 | Colchester United v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 14 Apr 2007 | Leeds United v Burnley | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 21 Apr 2007 | Southampton v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 28 Apr 2007 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 06 May 2007 | Derby County v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
