Leeds United's average home league crowd last season dipped below 30,000 for the first time in 12 years.

And they finished in their lowest league position since 1986.

Demotion from the Premiership hit the club hard as revenue from many sources dipped and massive savings had to be made.

The club's average home league crowd was 29,206, compared with 36,666 the previous year.

However, with 23 home games instead of 19, the blow was softened. United were watched by 671,749 spectators at home, compared with 696,657 during season 2003-4.

A settled team was a luxury denied to manager Kevin Blackwell who used 36 players, not counting those who sat on the bench without being called into the action.

Updated: 11:17 Monday, May 16, 2005