The 2008–09 season was Leeds United's second consecutive season in the third tier of English football.

Season summary

The season began with Gary McAllister still managing Leeds, and they appeared to be in automatic promotion contention after a promising start. However, a humiliating FA Cup exit to Football Conference side Histon saw the team's form completely collapse, and with any hope of automatic promotion having all but ended even before Christmas Day, McAllister was sacked. He was replaced by Simon Grayson, and after a nervy first few games, Grayson lifted the side from eighth to fourth, resulting in a place in the play-offs. During this time, the club recorded eleven consecutive home wins. Although to the heartbreak of Leeds fans, the club failed in the play-offs again, being defeated by Millwall in the semi-finals. During the season, Jermaine Beckford scored 34 goals in all competitions – the highest in the country. Once again, the club received the highest attendance outside the Premier League on three occasions; the largest in the play-off semi final, recording a crowd of over 37,000. Off the pitch, the club made a profit for the first time in years.

Events

This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2008–09 season, presented in chronological order (starting from 26 May 2008 and ending on 14 May 2009). This list does not include transfers or new contracts, which are listed in the transfers section below, or match results, which are in the matches section.

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

Pre-season

Competitions

League One

Table

Results summary

Results by round

Matches

Play-offs

FA Cup

Football League Cup

Football League Trophy

First-team squad

Squad information

Appearances (starts and substitute appearances) and goals include those in The Premiership, The Championship (and playoffs), League One (and playoffs), FA Cup, League Cup, EFL Trophy, and UEFA Cup. 1Player first came to the club on loan and was transferred the following year. 2Player is at the club on loan Squad includes players registered with the club on the last day of the season (14 May 2009) only.

Squad stats

Disciplinary record

Suspensions

Awards

Internal Awards

Official Player of the Year Awards

The results of the 2008–09 Leeds United F.C. Player of the Year Awards were announced at a dinner on 14 April 2008 at Elland Road.

Regional Members Clubs Player of the Year Awards

Official Goal of the Month

1Winning goal was the player's third goal in the match. 2Winning goal was the player's first goal in the match.

External Awards

League One Team of the Week

The following Leeds players have been selected in the official League One team of the week.

Others

Transfers

In

1As the player was under the age of 23 at the time of the transfer, an undisclosed compensation package was due to the player's former club. 2Although intended to be undisclosed, it was revealed on Yorkshire Radio on 18 April 2009 that the compensation paid to the player's former club was £35,000. 3Although intended to be undisclosed, chairman Ken Bates revealed on Yorkshire Radio on 19 May 2009 that the compensation paid to the player's former club was £300,000. 4Player originally joined the club on a non-contract basis, but signed a one-year contract lasting until 2009 several weeks after. 5Player joined the club on a non-contract basis.

Out

1Player was at the club on a non-contract, pay-as-you-play deal which include a clause in which either party could cancel the agreement with 7 days notice. The player was the party that triggered the clause, resulting in his release from the club.

Loans

New Contracts

1Automatically extended until 2012 if the club is promoted to The Championship. 2Player's first contract included an appearance related clause which was automatically triggered in March, resulting in a one-year contract extension commencing in June 2009.