During the 1999–2000 English football season, Leeds United A.F.C.

Leeds United A.F.C.

Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...

 competed in the FA Premier League

FA Premier League

The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...

 (known as the FA Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons).

Season summary

Leeds entered the new millennium top of the Premiership, but by the end of the season they had fallen to third place and were 22 points adrift of champions . There was real trauma in the UEFA Cup

UEFA Cup

The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...

, when two fans were stabbed to death after a clash between rival supporters on the eve of Leeds United's UEFA Cup

UEFA Cup

The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...

 semi-final against Galatasaray

Galatasaray

Galatasaray Spor Kulübü is a Turkish sports club based in Istanbul, most notable for its football section, also known as Galatasaray S.K.. It also fields teams in Athletics, Basketball, Wheelchair basketball, Volleyball, Water polo, Swimming, Rowing, Sailing, Judo, Bridge, Equestrian, Handball,...

. On the more positive side, Leeds attained their highest finish since the 1992 title triumph, and achieved Champions League

UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...

 qualification in manager David O'Leary

David O'Leary

David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...

's second season at the helm. Promising young players like Alan Smith, Jonathan Woodgate

Jonathan Woodgate

Jonathan Simon Woodgate is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League.Woodgate started his football career at Leeds United where he established himself in the starting eleven. However, Woodgate was sold to Newcastle United for £9 million in January 2003. He impressed...

 and Michael Bridges

Michael Bridges

Michael Bridges is an English football striker who currently plays for A-League club, Newcastle Jets. Bridge has previously played over 200 Premier League games.-Sunderland:...

 gave Leeds fans hope that their side would be among next season's

2000-01 in English football

The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...

 contenders for the Premiership, as well as making another strong challenge on the continent. Australian midfielder, Harry Kewell

Harry Kewell

Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...

, announced his arrival to the Premiership by winning the PFA Young Player of the Year

PFA Young Player of the Year

The Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player aged 23 or under at the start of the season who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football...

 award.

Squad

Left club during season

Starting 11

Only considering Premiership starts

• GK: #1,   Nigel Martyn
  Nigel Martyn
  Antony Nigel Martyn , more commonly known as Nigel Martyn, is a retired English football goalkeeper. He played for Crystal Palace where he became the first £1million goalkeeper in British football and also won the Full Members Cup. Martyn then left to spend six seasons at Leeds United. He went on...
  
  , 38
• RB: #2,   Gary Kelly, 28
• CB: #6,   Jonathan Woodgate
  Jonathan Woodgate
  Jonathan Simon Woodgate is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League.Woodgate started his football career at Leeds United where he established himself in the starting eleven. However, Woodgate was sold to Newcastle United for £9 million in January 2003. He impressed...
  
  , 32
• CB: #5,   Lucas Radebe
  Lucas Radebe
  Lucas Valeriu Radebe is a former Leeds United and South African football player. During his career, Radebe was renowned for being a world-class centre back and a great ambassador for the sport....
  
  , 31
• LB: #3,   Ian Harte
  Ian Harte
  Ian Patrick Harte is an Irish international footballer who plays for Reading in the Football League Championship. Best known for his spell at Leeds United and also his ability to score goals from long range, including being a free kick specialist...
  
  , 33
• RM: #11,   Lee Bowyer
  Lee Bowyer
  Lee David Bowyer is an English professional footballer born in Canning Town, London, who plays as a midfielder for Ipswich Town of the Football League Championship....
  
  , 31
• CM: #19,   Eirik Bakke
  Eirik Bakke
  Eirik Bakke is a Norwegian football player. He plays on the right-hand side or centre of midfield. He currently plays for Sogndal.-Sogndal :Bakke played 99 matches for Sogndal...
  
  , 24
• CM: #14,   Stephen McPhail
  Stephen McPhail
  Stephen John Paul McPhail is an Irish footballer who plays for Cardiff City. He has won 10 caps for his country, the Republic of Ireland, and scored one goal...
  
  , 23
• LM: #10,   Harry Kewell
  Harry Kewell
  Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...
  
  , 36
• CF: #8,   Michael Bridges
  Michael Bridges
  Michael Bridges is an English football striker who currently plays for A-League club, Newcastle Jets. Bridge has previously played over 200 Premier League games.-Sunderland:...
  
  , 32
• CF: #17,   Alan Smith, 20

Matches

Topscorers

Michael Bridges

Michael Bridges

Michael Bridges is an English football striker who currently plays for A-League club, Newcastle Jets. Bridge has previously played over 200 Premier League games.-Sunderland:...

 19 Harry Kewell

Harry Kewell

Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...

 10 Ian Harte

Ian Harte

Ian Patrick Harte is an Irish international footballer who plays for Reading in the Football League Championship. Best known for his spell at Leeds United and also his ability to score goals from long range, including being a free kick specialist...

 6 Alan Smith 4