Don Revie

If you believe the rumours from Gary Sprake et al, Revie's misdeeds are far greater than a few years taking millions in the UAE. Undoubtedly one of Boro's finest footballing sons though, and deserves far more respect for how he basically singlehandedly put Leeds on the footballing map.
 
If you believe the rumours from Gary Sprake et al, Revie's misdeeds are far greater than a few years taking millions in the UAE. Undoubtedly one of Boro's finest footballing sons though, and deserves far more respect for how he basically singlehandedly put Leeds on the footballing map.
Oooooh. Tell me more. What has he been doing
 
I have just finishing reading his book. I met Chris in Middlesbrough together with Andy McDonald we helped him work out the geography of Don's life in Middlesbrough.
I was struck reading it about just how badly he was treated. The language and the levels of anger against him were as if he was a criminal or a war criminal even.
The people that made allegations against Revie seemed to be bitter men. Bob Stokoe seemed to have a lifelong chip on his shoulder. Cloughie had no time for Stokoe either. You can see Stokoe crouched over Clough calling him a cheat and telling him to get up when he is rolling in pain from the injury that finished his career. It is on youtube. Not the nicest of guys.
Gary Sprake was bitter when finally cast out after making the umpteenth costly mistake. Billy Bremner got massive damages when he was libelled as the man that did the match fixing for Revie.
The so called newspaper dossier against Revie has never ever been found and in fact no one has ever admitted to seeing it.
On the other hand Aan Peacock's told me that when his career was over from knee injuries that Don Revie personally made sure he got s financial.settlement to build a new life after football.
In those days one robust challenge or injury could finish a career and these guys were not like today's managers. And that goes for managers as well.
Revie was brought up almost in sight of the workhouse. His mother died when he was young and his father was often out of work in the recession. Those things surely stay with you for life.
It always seems to me that if Revie was a match fixer then he must have been appalling at it because he seemed to lose all the games he was accused of trying to bribe the opposition.
 
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My recollection is that Leeds early 70s were admired, even if grudgingly, around Teesside. Leeds and Boro seemed to have avoided each other in the previous 10 years or so (see also Newcastle) and therefore no active rivalry.
Other teams studied Leeds and copied their ways (pressurising the ref etc). Arsenal's first 'double' side for example.

The Leeds hating came from fans (including 'fans with typewriters') of the established big clubs, who as we know, always close ranks against newcomers
 
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