March 11, 2006 – A 90th minute goal from Eddie Lewis earns Leeds a 2-2 draw at home to Norwich, but the stalemate is the start of a sudden decline. United win only one of their next 10 matches, surrendering their chance of automatic promotion.
May 8, 2006 – United qualify for the Championship play-off final in Cardiff after a 2-0 victory over Preston. The clubs had produced a 1-1 draw during the first leg at Elland Road, but goals from Hulse and Frazer Richardson settle the tie for Leeds at Deepdale.
May 21, 2006 – Promotion goes south at the Millennium Stadium after Leeds are easily beaten by former Leeds coach Adie Boothroyd's Watford. Blackwell's decision to field a lone striker and name David Healy on the bench draws heavy criticism from supporters, almost 50,000 of whom made the trip to Cardiff. "We lacked spark and we deserved to lose," he admits.
July 5, 2006 – Blackwell completes his first summer signing by capturing Seb Carole on a free transfer from Brighton, almost seven weeks after the play-off final.
July 21, 2006 – David Livermore signs for Leeds from Millwall, but confusion reigns when Blackwell decides to sell the midfielder to Hull a fortnight later. United claim that "with everyone fit, David is unlikely to play".
July 26, 2006 – Kevin Nicholls seals his £700k move from Luton after weeks of negotiations. The midfielder – Blackwell's most expensive signing this summer – injures his knee 24 hours later during his first training session.
August 4, 2006 – The capture of Ian Westlake completes Blackwell's haul of permanent pre-season signings, far fewer than the majority of supporters had expected. United's boss later admits that the club lack the resources to compete financially with their Championship rivals.
August 5, 2006 – Leeds begin the season with a 1-0 win over Norwich, but a draw with QPR and defeats to Crystal Palace and Cardiff raise the pressure on the boss. He threatens to show certain players the exit door after their draw at QPR.
September 10, 2006 – Leeds lose 1-0 to Wolves after a 92nd minute goal from Jay Bothroyd. Supporters at Elland Road chant "Blackwell, time to go".
September 13, 2006 – A 3-0 defeat to Sunderland brings further calls for Blackwell's dismissal. The club drop into the Championship's relegation zone for the first time in 21 years, but Bates remains quiet on his manager's future.
September 16, 2006 – United are beaten 1-0 by Coventry, and are 23rd in the table. A banner reading "Blackwell Out" is unfurled by unhappy Leeds fans, but Healy, Westlake and Matthew Kilgallon emerge to support their boss after the whistle.
September 19, 2006 – Blackwell takes charge of his final game, a 3-1 win over Barnet in the second round of the Carling Cup. Assistant boss John Carver attends the post-match press conference but gives no hint of the events ahead.
September 20, 2006 – Bates flies to England from Monaco ahead of the Championship game against Birmingham on September 23. Announces shortly before 4pm that Blackwell's contract has been terminated.