The Unforgiven: The Story of Don Revie's Leeds United

by Rob Bagchi, Paul Rogerson

In 1961, when Don Revie became manager of Leeds United, they were a struggling Second Division club. By 1974 they had won two League Championships, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (twice), the FA Cup and the League Cup; players like Jack Charlton and Billy Bremner were household names.  The Unforgiven  is the definitive history of the most defiantly unconventional team in British football.

This was a team that inspired neither admiration nor grudging respect, but rather a deep and visceral loathing â?? matched only by the bellicose devotion of their own supporters. The undeniable artistry of players like striker Allan Clarke was overshadowed by a ruthless professionalism, epitomised in the scything tackles of Norman Hunter. 

Still, when Revieâ??s Leeds United side were let off the leash â?? the 7-0 humiliation of Southampton is enshrined in Match of the Day mythology â?? their brilliance was compelling. 

At the heart of their outlaw status was the eccentric personality of Don Revie himself. Clad in his lucky blue suit, a man for whom team-building meant rounds of carpet bowls, here reigned less a football manager than, in his own estimation, the â??head of the familyâ??. The aftermath of the Revie era is explored, including Brian Cloughâ??s infamous 44 days at the helm of the â??Damned Unitedâ??. 

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Football, History

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Rob Bagchi is a British journalist currently working as a sports writer for the Daily Telegraph. He previously worked at The Guardian.

Reviews

[AJW · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched history of Don Revie’s time at Leeds United.

As a long time Leeds fan, I thought I knew all there was to know about this most famous period of my football club, but I was pleased to find out facts and incidents that I didn’t know. I liked Don Revie more after reading this - this book makes it clear that his reputation was unfairly savaged by the press.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Don Revie's reign at Leeds United as he pulls them from obscurity to champions. The thing that strikes the most is how unlucky the team was during it's (effectively) 10 year reign over English football, almost a tale of "always the bridesmaid". And yet it was Revie's own ideals that created that unluckiness, made them true champions and ultimately lead to the decline in fortunes after his departure. Both nostalgic and referential, this is an excellent rendering of the mighty Leeds glory years.

[Joe Stamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't look at books about football as I would a novel, as the quality of prose isn't important (unless it's so bad to be intrusive). The writing is this book is perfectly adequate for the story it tells. Not sure it would be of much interest to non-fans, but it's comforting to know that everyone hated us as much then as they do now ;)

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really know much about Leeds or Don Revie's Leeds and really enjoyed this book as a chance to get an insight into that time period in the English League and to improve my knowledge. Really well written and I think took a pretty balanced look at the team, trying to dispel some of the myths surrounding "Dirty Leeds".

[John MB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a must read for a leeds fan, for football fans generally the way its written is quite biased towards leeds which even i can see. But it gives an in dwpth overview of the club through his entire reign.

[Brianna C]

I think this book was great and that other should so read this book and know I am waiting for
the other books to come out :)