SoS

OR COULD IT?

bruno

Liverpool vs. Leeds United – Anfield
Premier League – Sunday 16th May 2004

Squad: Iker Casillas; Frazer Richardson, Gary Kelly, Dominic Matteo, Matthew Kilgallon; James Milner, Riccardo Montolivo, Eirik Bakke, Seth Johnson (c); Simon Johnson, Mark Viduka

I was a bit nervy before the match due to the fact that this would be my first match in charge. First thing I decided was to play the reserves in this match, I thought the FA Cup Final coming up was important and wanted all players fit and not suspended.

And it showed that the reserves did not quite match Liverpool’s team, playing wise. However Liverpool was unable to score much due to Iker Casillas having a great night, and of course a bit luck. The match seemed to be going to end goalless but Jamie McMaster thought otherwise when he scored on a free kick 3 minutes in to injury time.

Liverpool 0:
Leeds 1: McMaster 90’

Attendance: 45,344

bruno

Arsenal vs. Leeds United – The Millennium Stadium
FA Cup Final – Saturday 22nd May 2004

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

Never had I seen so many people in one stadium. Stepping out on the pitch a hour or so before kick off, I realised we would play the FA Cup Final in front of a full house: 72, 500 spectators watching every move we make.

After winning both the League Cup and the Premier League one could think I was quite satisfied but no. After splashing out around 250 million quid this season was my expectations of a domestic treble unrealistic. I think not. I really wanted to bring home the FA Cup trophy to our faithful fans that had been supportive of us all the way this season.

And it started in a fantastic way, with Jermaine Jenas scoring before 10 minutes had gone. 20 minutes later our lead was extended after Andrés D’Alessandro headed in a fine goal. But Arsenal, and José Antonio Reyes, fought back and got on back just before the interval.

Arsenal had hope coming out for the second half but after two clinical goals from Ronaldo and Adriano to make it 4-1. And when the arsenal supporters thought the match was over Jermaine Pennant, the ex-Arsenal player, thumped the ball past Jens Lehmann the humiliation was total.

This was in fact the first time since 1972 that Leeds United won the FA Cup and the fans were in a flamboyant mood, singing songs when we celebrated the win after the match.

Arsenal 1: Reyes 45’
Leeds 5: Jenas 8’, D’Alessandro 27’, Ronaldo 50’, Adriano 53’, Pennant 89’

Attendance: 72,500

Roman105

WE WANT MORE!!

bruno

Note: From now on the story will follow Paul Campbell from a third-person view.

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Leeds United had executed the season in a very fine manner; winning the Premier League, the League Cup and the FA Cup, which of course delighted the fans, not the least Paul Campbell.
In other European news: Lazio brought home the UEFA Champions League trophy to Rome after beating Internazionale in an all-Italian final. Another Italian team won the UEFA Cup: AS Roma beat Liverpool after Antonio Cassano scored a late goal to seal the win.

Also the annual English awards ceremony took place. After Leeds United’s great season, they were represented well. Adriano won the prestigious Player of the Year award while Jermaine Pennant retained the Young Player of the Year award. Also, an absent Eddie Gray, got the award as Manager of the Year.

Three out of three so far but it was far from over. Ronaldo deservedly became English Footballer of the Year, mostly due to his outstanding season, scoring a staggering 45 goals in the Premiership. Also, Leeds had a few players selected for the Team of the Year: Ronaldo, Adriano, Andrés D’Alessandro and Carles Puyol.

A clean sweep for Campbell and his lads...

bruno

After being an Arsenal for more than a few years Campbell had nowadays started to get a sense of fondness, or warmth if you like, for Leeds United. More than enough people had told him that you couldn’t switch favourite teams; then you’d betrayed whichever club you supported before. Campbell didn’t really care; all he thought about was how to be as successful as possible with Leeds United. After all, it was really Eddie that guided the team through the season and now Campbell had to prove himself to be just as good.

After struggling to discharge Eddie all season, and it had really wore him down, Campbell now finally felt that he could relax. Therefore he and Mary went for a 3-week-trip to the French Riviera. They had a lovely time there, soaking up the sun and enjoying nice summer night walks on the beach. The only bad thing about the trip was that Campbell didn’t have the pleasure to see the European Championship in Portugal, on location that will say. Instead he missed most of the matches, the only one he really saw was the final.

bartley_m

Juts read this in one sitting, great story, KUTGW m8

bruno

Thanks, bartley

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England, with Leeds United players Jermaine Jenas and Jermaine Pennant, started their Euro2004 campaign against an Italy, who had Gianluigi Buffon and Francesco Totti. The match was a predictably close event, with England as the stronger of the two teams. However after 90 minutes, and after a great performance from Gigi Buffon, it still was goalless.

5 days later England were in action again, following up their draw against the Italians with a disappointing loss against host nation Portugal. If anyone were to blame then it would be Richard Wright who made mistakes on both goal occasions. With only one point after the first two matches hope for going through was not high amongst the England fans.

But the England players got their act together and produced an efficient performance, which saw the easily overcome a lacklustre and boring Turkey with 2-0 at Estádio do Rio Ave. After a great goal in the opening minute from Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney scored on the stroke of half time. And with Portugal winning over Italy with 2-0, both England and Portugal went through to the Quarter Finals...

bruno

…where England would meet France who had after three great wins got through very easily. France, as the reigning holders, were of course favourites. However England seemed to like the underdog label as they, after being 1-0 down, turned the match around after goals from James Beattie and Jermaine Pennant. The latter of the two scored a marvellous free kick after having his shirt pulled by Mikaël Silvestre, which resulted in a red card for the Frenchmen after collecting two yellow cards.

In the semi-final England had a tough task in beating long time rivals Germany but in a well-played and eventful match England got through to the final when Emile Heskey scored the only goal in the match, with only 5 minutes left before penalties would have had to decided the match.

In the final England was yet again set to face Portugal after they won their semi final over Denmark. That match went to penalties and Portugal were the stronger team. Or perhaps Denmark was the team with weaker nerves as both Jan Kristiansen and Ebbe Sand missed their penalties.

Host nation Portugal was made 4-5 favourites by English bookies to win the European Championship Final but England upset the odds to stun the Portuguese team with a 1-0 win.

The English players produced a good display this afternoon to see off the challenge by Portugal at Estádio da Luz. England were seldom put under any real pressure and rarely needed to get out of second gear during their 1-0 victory. The success must be credited to Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes as they neutralized the Portuguese attacks throughout the match. With a little help from Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand of course.

And it was also Ferdinand who scored the match-winning goal when Jermaine Jenas tried an in-swinging corner and Ferdinand got his head to the ball and sent it across the goalmouth.

On arrival in London the English players, and Sven-Göran Eriksson, were celebrated as heroes, not the least Ferdinand who had been performing well throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, Paul and Mary stayed another week in France.

bruno

Back in England Gary Lineker handled the day-to-day issues during the European Championship. Campbell had also given Lineker free hands in the transfer market and Lineker took it upon himself to bring in two players to Leeds during Campbell’s absence: Crewe’s 16-year-old central defender Billy Jones joined on a free transfer. He had been playing well the past season and attracted the attention by a few other English clubs, mostly Division One clubs. Also 17-year-old Derby City midfielder Nathan Doyle joined the club in a 3,5 million quid deal.

With stiff competition from Barcelona and AS Roma for the latter of the two youngsters Lineker had to ensure the youngster at least 15 matches from start in the first team the coming season. If that requirement were not fulfilled he would be allowed to leave for free after the season.

Lineker released quite a few players, as Campbell ordered him before leaving for vacation, from the U-19 after conferring with U-19 coach Steve Agnew. Also a few of the older players decided to retire, leaving place for the younger. These players will no longer play for Leeds United:

Bailey Camfield, Jason Flint, Kevin Smith, Mark Wilberforce, Nick Gray, Kevin Cronin, Chris Jones, Brenton Leister, Justin Bowler, Andrew Keogh, Sean McDaid, Andrew Cousins, Luke Byrne, Derek Tyrell, Jason Wilcox (ret), David Batty (ret), Lucas Radebe (ret)

Instead a fresh batch of youngsters was brought up and three of them really showed some promise:

Nick Kamara, 14 (AMC): This attacking midfielder, who in fact was capped at schoolboy level, can with out a doubt hold a regular place in the starting XI sometime in the future. With his set pieces and crossing abilities he may prove to be to Leeds United what David Beckham was to Manchester United for many years.

Simon Newman, 14 (DC): The next Rio Ferdinand. According to Steve Agnew this lad has a bright future ahead of him and might even become a vital part in Leeds defensive block. But not yet for a while though as he still has a lot to learn. A lethal tackler and quite all right in the air.

Graham Sullivan, 14 (GK): Probably the only English keeper, in modern day, that has a potential to become the next Gordon Banks. Don’t really have any weaknesses and in 3-4 years he most probably will have demoted both Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas from the starting XI.

Leeds saw an influx of 12 million quid for TV rights for the forthcoming season. Also the board decided, quite surprisingly since Leeds going to move stadiums in two seasons, to expand Elland Road by 16,000 seats. The work commenced immediately and during the 5 months of construction a part of the south stand will be closed. Campbell didn’t see the point with expanding the stadium but he didn’t really give a damn.

With money left to spare, Campbell was given a preliminary transfer budget of 66 million quid. If he didn’t see that as enough he could always chip in with a few pence from his own wallet.

Lineker also saw long time injured Alan Smith return to training after having completed his initial physiotherapy course. He still had a month or so left before being fully fit for match action again.