Leeds United fell through the Premier League trapdoor at the end of the 2003/04 campaign - just three seasons after the club reached the semi finals of the Champions League. The ups and downs of the season featured a change of manager, a raft of hit and miss loan signings and key players moved on as a financial crisis strangled the club. These photos, published courtesy of Varley Picture Agency, tell the story of a season to forget. READ MORE: 17 memorable Leeds United ups and downs away from the Premier League
![Loanee Lamine Sakho made an impressive start as Leeds United fans were given early season optimism on the opening day against the Magpies.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2NDU2OTA3.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Leeds United 2 Newcastle United 2, August 2003
Loanee Lamine Sakho made an impressive start as Leeds United fans were given early season optimism on the opening day against the Magpies. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![Alan Smith and teammates celebrate his startling fifth-minute opener, an angled grass-cutter from 25 yards. But it was not enough to secure the points at White Hart Lane.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2NDU2OTA5.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Spurs 2 Leeds United 1, August 2003
Alan Smith and teammates celebrate his startling fifth-minute opener, an angled grass-cutter from 25 yards. But it was not enough to secure the points at White Hart Lane. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![Lamine Sakho had a goal disallowed as the Whites couldn't breakthrough a resolute Saints defence at Elland Road.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2NDU2OTEw.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Leeds United 0 Southampton 0, August 2003
Lamine Sakho had a goal disallowed as the Whites couldn't breakthrough a resolute Saints defence at Elland Road. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
!["We needed that one because I think we had forgotten how to win. If you look at the results last season we lost a lot of games in the last 10 minutes, so hopefully this represents a turn-around," said manager Peter Reid.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2NDU2OTE0.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Middlesbrough 2 Leeds United 3, August 2003
"We needed that one because I think we had forgotten how to win. If you look at the results last season we lost a lot of games in the last 10 minutes, so hopefully this represents a turn-around," said manager Peter Reid. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![A night to forget as Leeds United fielded five loan signings including two debutants - French full-back Didier Domi and the Brazilian centre-back Roque Junior.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2NDU2OTE5.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Leicester City 4 Leeds United 0, September 2003
A night to forget as Leeds United fielded five loan signings including two debutants - French full-back Didier Domi and the Brazilian centre-back Roque Junior. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![Steve Watson's treble piled on the agony for Leeds United as Everton ran riot at Goodison Park.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2NDU2OTIy.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Everton 4 Leeds United 0, September 2003
Steve Watson's treble piled on the agony for Leeds United as Everton ran riot at Goodison Park. Photo: Varley Picture Agency