BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Leeds United | A new beginning for Leeds
Whisper it quietly, but the storm clouds may finally be breaking over Elland Road.
The fall from grace of Leeds United has been spectacular and well-documented.
But with the arrival of Ken Bates as the new chairman and an up-turn of form on the pitch, there has been a unquestionably change of direction at the club.
Instead of continually looking over their shoulders, everyone at the club can finally look forward.
"I think that people are starting to see that the buds are starting to grow again after a barren two or three years," Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell told BBC Sport.
"What happened here - it is something I don't want anybody to go through.
"We have learnt our lesson. I also think we will be used as an example to everybody that if you do not act prudently chasing a dream, the nightmare can be long lasting.
"Please God no one else has to go through it because it has been a really uncomfortable time for supporters, players, management, everyone."
Bates has brought stability to the club behind the scenes, but the role played by Blackwell in keeping the club competitive in the Championship should not be forgotten.
Leeds were relegated from the Premiership last season and when Blackwell took over as manager in the summer he had one senior player - Gary Kelly - and three youngsters on his playing staff.
The club were still engulfed by gargantuan debts and speculation over Leeds' very survival was a daily staple.
"I don't think you'll find in any recent history a club that has been through the transformation that Leeds United have over the last five or six months," added Blackwell.
"We lost virtually every player and Rob Hulse last Saturday became the 27th player to make his debut for the club this season - that speaks volume in itself."
Blackwell admits that several times he told his players "look lads, whatever happens, happens" and that the speculation hanging over the club inevitably effected his squad.
But through a combination of shrewd loan signings and the acquisition of experienced professionals such as Brian Deane and Sean Gregan, Blackwell has ensured Leeds have avoided back-to-back relegations.
"We have relied very much on our youth policy to pull us through here," he said.
"We have had five under the age of 21 playing all season and two 17-year-olds playing most of the season.
"It is a physical division and we are a team that is there to be shot at by everybody.
"Everybody who turns up at Elland Road - or wherever we go away - still looks at Leeds as a Premiership side.
"Every game has been like a cup final - the players have had to deal with it and overall I think they have done an excellent job."
After struggling through the early months of the season with an ever-changing team, Leeds have finally hit form.
Blackwell's team have lost just two of their last 12 league matches and are now just four points off the Championship play-offs.
Experienced players such as Seth Johnson are closing in on fitness after long-term injuries, while in David Healy and Hulse the club have the makings of a dynamic partnership up front.
But the unassuming manager is unwilling to take the credit he deserves for the crucial role he has played in changing the fortunes of a proud Yorkshire club.
"We're just getting on with our job," he said. "We are trying to put the club back on an even keel after what went on.
"I think anybody can take pride out of putting a team together in a couple of months that is competitive in this division - and for that I thank all the staff and all the players who have done that."
Whisper it quietly, but the storm clouds may finally be breaking over Elland Road.
The fall from grace of Leeds United has been spectacular and well-documented.
But with the arrival of Ken Bates as the new chairman and an up-turn of form on the pitch, there has been a unquestionably change of direction at the club.
Instead of continually looking over their shoulders, everyone at the club can finally look forward.
"I think that people are starting to see that the buds are starting to grow again after a barren two or three years," Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell told BBC Sport.
"What happened here - it is something I don't want anybody to go through.
"We have learnt our lesson. I also think we will be used as an example to everybody that if you do not act prudently chasing a dream, the nightmare can be long lasting.
"Please God no one else has to go through it because it has been a really uncomfortable time for supporters, players, management, everyone."
Bates has brought stability to the club behind the scenes, but the role played by Blackwell in keeping the club competitive in the Championship should not be forgotten.
Leeds were relegated from the Premiership last season and when Blackwell took over as manager in the summer he had one senior player - Gary Kelly - and three youngsters on his playing staff.
The club were still engulfed by gargantuan debts and speculation over Leeds' very survival was a daily staple.
"I don't think you'll find in any recent history a club that has been through the transformation that Leeds United have over the last five or six months," added Blackwell.
"We lost virtually every player and Rob Hulse last Saturday became the 27th player to make his debut for the club this season - that speaks volume in itself."
Blackwell admits that several times he told his players "look lads, whatever happens, happens" and that the speculation hanging over the club inevitably effected his squad.
But through a combination of shrewd loan signings and the acquisition of experienced professionals such as Brian Deane and Sean Gregan, Blackwell has ensured Leeds have avoided back-to-back relegations.
"We have relied very much on our youth policy to pull us through here," he said.
"We have had five under the age of 21 playing all season and two 17-year-olds playing most of the season.
"It is a physical division and we are a team that is there to be shot at by everybody.
"Everybody who turns up at Elland Road - or wherever we go away - still looks at Leeds as a Premiership side.
"Every game has been like a cup final - the players have had to deal with it and overall I think they have done an excellent job."
After struggling through the early months of the season with an ever-changing team, Leeds have finally hit form.
Blackwell's team have lost just two of their last 12 league matches and are now just four points off the Championship play-offs.
Experienced players such as Seth Johnson are closing in on fitness after long-term injuries, while in David Healy and Hulse the club have the makings of a dynamic partnership up front.
But the unassuming manager is unwilling to take the credit he deserves for the crucial role he has played in changing the fortunes of a proud Yorkshire club.
"We're just getting on with our job," he said. "We are trying to put the club back on an even keel after what went on.
"I think anybody can take pride out of putting a team together in a couple of months that is competitive in this division - and for that I thank all the staff and all the players who have done that."