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Leeds United on Trial : The Inside Story of an Astonishing Year
The inside account of the season that transformed a youthful, inexperienced side into one of the most feared in Europe, in the process confirming their young manager as one of the brightest prospects of his generation. The 2000/2001 season was one of high drama both on and off the the trial and retrial of Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate dominated both headlines and players' thoughts alike; the #18 million signing of Rio Ferdinand broke the British transfer record; an incredible run of injuries to key players such as David Batty and Harry Kewell saw Leeds drop 20 points at home by Christmas and slump to 14th place in the table. But in Europe, O'Leary's young team had grown from boys to men. Leeds came through a group boasting Barcelona and AC Milan, and then one featuring Real Madrid and Lazio. And once O'Leary's side was restored to full strength, the team powered through the early months of 2001 towards their season's extraordinary a high tension Premiership duel with Liverpool and a battle with Valencia for a place in the Champion's League final.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 6, 2017
Just cashing in on what most Leeds fans following the club in the Champions League (home/away) knew already, really.
I really like O'Leary, but he deserves a better book than this. I'm much less interested in the whole Bowyer-Woodgate-Duberry thing than I am about the manager (and how much of a twat Peter Risdale - the Chairman - was).
I really like O'Leary, but he deserves a better book than this. I'm much less interested in the whole Bowyer-Woodgate-Duberry thing than I am about the manager (and how much of a twat Peter Risdale - the Chairman - was).
September 6, 2021
Good topic to work with but ropey in places
December 30, 2025
excellent in a read through your fingers! what a massive twat and arsehole OLeary.
May 31, 2016
David O'Leary recounts the drama both on and off the field. O'Leary not only had to deal with an injury ravaged squad, but also the trial (and retrial) of Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate who were charged with assaulting a student in a night out in Leeds.
Despite this, O'Leary leads the team to a high league finish and a Champions League semi final, knocking out high ranking teams in the process.
The book is great for Leeds United fans to remind them on the former successes, but for anyone else, it doesn't provide enough interesting secrets and revelations. Another point is that the book isn't told in chronological order, but split into chapters based on the League success, European success and the Trial. As such, it seems a bit muddled when events such as the signing of Viduka is mentioned, so it's confusing when you've read what a great success he was, but yet struggles to find his first goal in the next chapter.
Despite this, O'Leary leads the team to a high league finish and a Champions League semi final, knocking out high ranking teams in the process.
The book is great for Leeds United fans to remind them on the former successes, but for anyone else, it doesn't provide enough interesting secrets and revelations. Another point is that the book isn't told in chronological order, but split into chapters based on the League success, European success and the Trial. As such, it seems a bit muddled when events such as the signing of Viduka is mentioned, so it's confusing when you've read what a great success he was, but yet struggles to find his first goal in the next chapter.
June 17, 2008
All about the bad days at Leeds United. Would be of interest for anyone who appreciates football or sport generally. A dark moment in the history of the club. The trouble with this book is that O'Leary can't write. He played football like a god and managed pretty well too, but he's no writer. If it was ghosted, as I suspect, then the ghost writer needs a talking to.
The turgid prose can be ignored in favour of what is a microcosm of a big sporting club in a lot of trouble. That is INTERESTING indeed.
The turgid prose can be ignored in favour of what is a microcosm of a big sporting club in a lot of trouble. That is INTERESTING indeed.
February 14, 2013
Although this book centres around my favourite football club, and it was a blast from the past around my times when I worked at Elland Road I didn't really get that much out of this book. Most of the things that were written about I already knew and it was just about reading the history of what went on back then.
On top of this, the fact I had to read it in a physical format instead of on the kindle, just seem to lessen my enjoyment too.
On top of this, the fact I had to read it in a physical format instead of on the kindle, just seem to lessen my enjoyment too.
June 14, 2015
Really well written - excellent account of some of the final days before it all went wrong.
August 10, 2016
Did what it said on the tin really.
Informative and detailed account of the season where both Bowyer and Woodgate went on trial.
Interesting read..
Informative and detailed account of the season where both Bowyer and Woodgate went on trial.
Interesting read..
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews