FITTINGLY, THE END FOR LEEDS United came with a defeat that was shambolic, self- inflicted and, in Mark Viduka’s case, shameful; an aptly traumatic climax to three years of decline that have brought one of England’s biggest clubs to their knees.

From the European Cup semi-final of 2001, Leeds yesterday sank into the Nationwide League and relegation may not represent the end of this sorry tale. More good players will leave this summer and, for the new consortium that hopes to oust the present board as soon as this week, the first ambition is simply to stop the club going out of business.

“I played in a Leeds side that got relegated,” Eddie Gray, the caretaker manager, said, but it took eight seasons to bounce back then. “It’s not the end of the club,” he added. However, even with the loyal backing of fans who sang defiantly to the final whistle, the healing could take years. Mathematically, Leeds were not relegated from the Barclaycard Premiership yesterday, but not even Manchester City can surrender an advantage in goal difference of 36 over two matches.

The consequences of the second-half collapse at a sunny Reebok Stadium could be vividly seen in Alan Smith’s tears. The England forward wept as he walked over to the travelling supporters. He will have been touched by the ovation he received from the Bolton Wanderers fans, who recognised that at least one Leeds player had given his all to the bitter end.

Smith can be proud of his contribution when he leaves this summer, possibly for Valencia or Newcastle United, although Middlesbrough, Manchester United, Birmingham City and others are interested. Not so Viduka, who, against the run of play, put Leeds ahead from the penalty spot midway through the first half but picked up the season’s least forgivable red card within eight minutes.

After a booking for kicking out at Emerson Thome, Viduka lost the plot completely, ignoring his team-mates’ pleas to calm down, tripping Iván Campo and then raising an arm at Bruno N’Gotty. Perhaps he wanted to show the supporters his determination, but he succeeded only in making a fool of himself. It was his second red card in five matches, but what does he care? He knows that he will be leaving.

Chaotic in defence even before Viduka’s lunacy had reduced them to ten men, Leeds were never likely to survive the second half. In fact, they were so inept that they conceded three goals in eight minutes straight after the interval. They were a shapeless mess as Youri Djorkaeff scored twice, Ian Harte put through his own goal and Kevin Nolan rounded things off, but blaming Michael Duberry, Stephen McPhail and Harte for their club’s predicament would be missing the point.

That trio were particularly woeful yesterday but, when it comes to the final reckoning, they do not deserve mentioning in the same breath as Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer, David O’Leary, Peter Ridsdale, Allan Leighton, Professor John McKenzie and Gerald Krasner, the latest buffoon in the chairman’s office who, if left in charge, might take Leeds into the Nationwide League second division.

Smith took a bitter swipe at the present board, who “said they would move heaven and earth to keep me, but then told me I wouldn’t get a new contract. That’s not my idea of moving heaven and earth.” A home-town boy, his last appearance at Elland Road will be on Saturday, when Leeds entertain Charlton Athletic. “I will give everything, as I have done in all 223 games for the club,” he said. “The fans have helped me through a few misdemeanours. I’ve got memories of Leeds that will last for ever.”

As well as Smith and Viduka, Paul Robinson is almost certain to return to the top division immediately while Premiership clubs will also have an eye on James Milner. A new consortium, led by Steve Parkin, a haulage magnate and Leeds fan, are in talks with Krasner, who only took control in March. Although £60 million of debt was written off in the deal, Krasner and his board borrowed all the money for their takeover in a massive gamble on the club surviving in the top flight. Had they not seen the table? Had they not seen the state of the team?

Half of yesterday’s starting XI remain from those great nights in Milan and Rome three years ago, but Harte, Gary Kelly, Dominic Matteo and others have seen the team, and the club, dismantled around them. They will feel sorry for themselves this morning, but perhaps the real casualties are the staff who have lost their jobs because of the financial mismanagement, such as the tea ladies in the canteen.

No wonder Sam Allardyce, the Bolton manager, shook his head in disbelief when asked to talk about Leeds and not his own side who climbed to seventh and remain outsiders for Europe. “It is quite staggering that a club competing in the Champions League semi-final three years ago can come to this,” he said. “As we know, finances play a major part in every football club. The consequences are devastating and a warning to us all.” Leeds United are a cautionary tale, one that could yet turn even more sorrowful in the first division.

Bolton Wanderers (4-1-4-1): J Jaaskelainen 6 — N Hunt 5, B N’Gotty 5, E Thome 4 (sub: A Barness, 38min 5), S Charlton 6 — I Campo 5 — Y Djorkaeff 6, K Nolan 6, A Okocha 6, H Pedersen 6 (sub: J Moreno, 69 5) — K Davies 6 (sub: S Giannakopoulos, 84). Substitutes not used: K Poole, P Frandsen. Booked: Thome, Hunt, Davies. NEXT: Everton (a). FORM: WWWWDL

Leeds United (4-4-2): P Robinson 4 — G Kelly 4, S Caldwell 4, M Duberry 3, I Harte 3 — J Pennant 4, S McPhail 3, D Matteo 4, J Milner 4 (sub:
J Wilcox, 60 4) — A Smith 7, M Viduka 1. Substitutes not used: S Carson, N Barmby, A Lennon, M Kilgallon. Booked: Viduka, Pennant. Sent off: Viduka. NEXT: Charlton Athletic (h). FORM: LLLDWW

Shots on target: (h) 10 (a) 3. Fouls: (h) 14 (a) 21. Offsides: (h) 5 (a) 4

Referee: S Bennett 6. Attendance: 27,420