When the Champions League swings into action again on Wednesday, the fans of Nottingham Forest and Leeds will be dreaming of what might have been.
Forest were European champions in 1978/79 and 1979/80, and Leeds were semifinalists just three years ago and runners-up in 1974/75, the club’s glory years.
Now both are struggling to stave off relegation from the Championship, the second tier of English football.
On Wednesday, while the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid are involved in the Champions League, Forest will be entertaining humble Rotherham, and Leeds face Burnley.
Forest, whose legendary former manager Brian Clough died last month, are third from bottom of the table while Leeds are just five points off the drop zone.
At the weekend, while Forest were losing 2-1 to Watford, Leeds were being beaten 2-0 at home by leaders Wigan.
Nottingham Forest boss Joe Kinnear was so angry, he refused to face the press — leaving coach and former England defender Des Walker to answer questions.
”It’s up to us — we’re the only people who can turn this situation around,” said Walker, whose team were relegated from the Premiership five years ago.
”We play Rotherham on Wednesday and we’ve got to make sure we get a result and get three points for ourselves — it’s as simple as that.”
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell, whose team is made up of youngsters rather than the highly paid superstars who once graced Elland Road, is also contemplating a desperate future, with the club once again at the centre of a takeover row.
”I thought we got caught out with lack of experience on two or three occasions,” said Blackwell of his team’s latest setback.
”But apart from that, you wouldn’t have been able to say who was near the top and who was near the bottom. It’s frustrating for the kids, but I’m proud that we put up a good show.
”There are a lot of youngsters there and there were no inexperienced players in the Wigan side, and I think at times it showed.” — Sapa-AFP