Tomorrow (Tues) is the SIXTH anniversary of Terry Venables ariving at Elland Road. During his time at Leeds, he did a brilliant impersonation of Antony Newley on "Celebrity Stars in their eyes", but other than that - it was pretty much a disaster!

"You would not believe the quality of applicants" Peter Ridsdale, then chairman purred, as Leeds opted for Ell Tel.

Venables too was surprised at the suddeness of his appointment. he told BBC Sports: ""The whole business had been conducted like a whirlwind. It was irresistible."

Following a two-hour meeting at Tel's Spanish bolthole, Venables agreed a two-year contract.

Supporters Club chairman Ray Fell appeared delighted at "a charismatic appointment", however detractors claimed Venables was THIRD choice, after snubs from Celtic's Martin O'Neill and Steve McClaren of Middlesbrough.

Venables first task was to stop Rio Ferdinand qutting the captaincy of Leeds for Manchester United. Despite his agent claiming that Ferdinand would be "impressed" by the appointment, the inevitable happened and he turned red.

Another high-profile departure pending was that of Lee Bowyer. Leeds believed they had agreed an £8m deal with Liverpool, to take the controversial midfielder off their hands - however the move cooled and Bowyer remained at Leeds.

However, hopes were high for the new-season and pundit Chris Waddle, although strongly believing that Venables was keeping the ER hotseat warm for Martin O'Neill to see his Celtic contract out, tipped Leeds to at least make the Champions League.

And optimism was soaring when Leeds remained unbeaten during their pre-season programme and started the season with a fine 3-0 win over Manchester City at Elland Road. Next up were newly promoted West Brom, wantaway Bowyer on superb form as Leeds romped home 3-1.

However, Leeds then fell to Sunderland (0-1) at home and defeat away at Birmingham followed. Leeds rode the blip and victory at Newcastle and a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Manchester United on September 14th sent the whites' top of the Premiership.

Typically Leeds then went on a poor run of just one win in twelve league matches and by mid-December they were out of the UEFA Cup and had earlier exited the League Cup at the third round stage to Sheffield United.

Venables was getting flak from the terraces, his refusal to play David Batty who was apparently fit after injury, his Christmas tree formation and his TV work were all brickbats hurled his way.

Despite Leeds claiming to have agreed "a compensation package" with ITV Sport for Venables services, he was still popping up on the small-screen, notwithstanding his impersonario of the talented, late-genius Newley on "Stars in their eyes"!!!

DON'T MISS PART II OF ELL TEL AT LEEDS - TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

Photo: Action Images

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