Leeds United: Relive Revie's Time As England Boss

Last updated : 22 June 2010 By Paul Robinson -YEP
Written by Leeds author Robert Endeacott, DisRepute - Revie's England charts its subject's unsuccessful attempts to guide the national team to the kind of success he enjoyed at United.

The story is told from the viewpoint of fictional character and fan Jimmy O'Rourke - the main protagonist in Endeacott's last novel, Dirty Leeds.

However, readers will also get an unprecedented factual inside track on Revie's turbulent England reign.

During his research Beeston-based Endeacott was given access to player reports and match dossiers compiled by 'The Don' and right-hand man Les Cocker.

And the writer says his book gives the lie to some of the myths that have grown up around Revie's time with England.

Endeacott, a 45-year-old lifelong Leeds fan, told the
Yorkshire Evening Post: "I really enjoyed writing it and hopefully it will not only entertain but spring a few surprises too. I can't reveal how I got hold of so much interesting information but I feel pretty privileged to have done so.

"Suffice to say, in this story there are events when the truth really is stranger than the football fiction!"

Revie spent three years with England before quitting in 1977 for a lucrative deal managing the United Arab Emirates.

The move sparked fury in the media and he was soon facing spurious accusations of greed and an inability to deal with flair players.
Revie died from motor neurone disease in 1989, aged 61.

Plans were revealed earlier this month for his silverware-laden achievements during his 13 years at Leeds to be honoured with a statue.

* DisRepute - Revie's England is published by Tonto Books on June 10.
For more details, visit www.tonto books.co.uk