November 23 – His name is Rio and he dances on the sand

AH remember those heady days of innocence and optimism back in, erm 2000? The Millennium Dome was in its pomp, Microsoft launched Windows 2000 and everyone’s house was doubling in value by the day. Heady days indeed, but especially heady for the fans of Leeds United who were enjoying the chairmanshipship of one Peter Ridsdale and the management of David O’Leary.

At the time Leeds were an exciting young team with the world at their feet with O’Leary playing the part of rising star manager and Ridsdale looking the model chairman, leading the fans in rousing renditions of the club’s anthem Marching on Together. All was rosy.

On this day things looked even rosier for the Leeds faithful when the club signed West Ham defender Rio Ferdinand for a whopping £18m. It seemed like a massive amount of money for an undoubtedly good player, but at the time it was a British transfer fee record, and a world record for a defender. Many questioned whether he was worth the money, but no one bothered to ask where the money was coming from, and if Leeds could actually afford it.

Still, it all looked so good for a while. Rio looked at home in the White Leeds shirt and he continued to impress and become an England regular.

Things would start to fall apart in 2002 when O’Leary was sacked and it became obvious that the club had somewhat overreached itself with the purchase. Ferdinand was sold to rivals Manchester United, but that deal was one of the few good ones for the club during the fire sale from Leeds in 2002 and 2003. He went for £30m after two years, a £12m profit on his original price which is a bit of a bobby dazzler.

Now, we know we have shown this clip of Rio’s howler at Portsmouth before, but go on, have another look – you know you want to, if only for the Benny Hill soundtrack. We will be back tomorrow but first, have a look at this for the comedy antics of the only manager more hapless than O’Leary. Souness gets it very wrong on this day in 1996.