2004 was a year to forget for Leeds United fans, relegated to the second tier after finishing joint bottom of the Premier League. A season in which we conceded four or more goals in a single match seven times. The dull but steady era of George Graham, never mind the dizzy heights of David O’Leary’s babies, seemed a long way away at this point, as we entered a, erm, new exciting era of lower league football with Kevin Blackwell at the helm.

I was 14 in 2004 and experiencing relegation for the first time as a football fan. It’s a feeling that battle hardens you, ready for a life spent following Leeds. Across the city, however, I was experiencing another first in my sporting world, something completely different.

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