In 2001, Middlesbrough hired Terry Venables to help secure their Premier League status while Leeds United were rubbing shoulders with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan on their way to reaching the semi-final of the Champions League.
Just a year later, Venables found himself in the Elland Road hotseat as financially-stricken Leeds threatened to fall through the relegation trapdoor.
When he welcomed his former club Boro to Yorkshire 12 years ago today, it had been a miserable couple of weeks for the Whites.
Not only had they lost to rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United in quick succession, they had also been knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage by First Division outfit Sheffield United.
© Getty Images
In contrast to Leeds, Steve McClaren's Boro were in good form, having remained unbeaten in their last four outings. What's more, they had a certain Juninho among their ranks, with the Brazilian about to produce one of the performances that saw him voted the club's best ever player by supporters in 2007.
Mark Viduka gave Leeds the lead following an error by visiting goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, before Massimo Maccarone equalised from the penalty spot in the 36th minute.
It was then over to Boro's Brazilian playmaker, who had been causing Leeds problems all afternoon. Just before the break, they afforded Juninho too much space 25 yards from goal and he went on to punish them by powering a shot beyond the reach of Paul Robinson.
The young Leeds keeper was then beaten from distance again in the 64th minute, this time by Real Madrid loanee Geremi, who lobbed the away side into a 3-1 lead.
© Getty Images
That goal prompted the home fans to taunt chairman Peter Risdale, although he had already retreated to the boardroom to avoid the anticipated wrath.
With 14 minutes remaining, Viduka claimed his second goal of the contest after Schwarzer had failed to hold substitute James Milner's initial shot.
However, there was to be no equaliser, with the game belonging to Boro and Juninho.
Speaking after the final whistle, McClaren said of his diminutive midfielder: "By his personality and inspiration he has come in and given us a smile."
Leeds: Robinson; Mills, Radebe, Lucic, Bravo; Barmby (Milner), Okon, Bakke, Wilcox; Viduka, Smith
Boro: Schwarzer; Parnaby (Cooper), Ehiogu, Southgate, Murphy; Geremi, Boateng, Greening, Juninho; Christie (Nemeth), Maccarone (Ricketts)
Liam Apicella
