New book charts rise of Leeds United during the 1960s

Dirty Leeds: The First Title focuses on Leeds United during 1960s and how two men - manager Don Revie and director Harry Reynolds - changed the shape of football in West Yorkshire forever.

The book takes the reader back to a more innocent time and place when the world of the working man was all pie, peas and mash suppers, fish and chips, warm ale and a packet of Woodbines.

It has been written by Dave Tomlinson - webmaster for the mightyleeds.co.uk website - and is his fourth book about the club to date.

He said: "There will never be another story like that of Leeds United in the 1960s. Out of grime and obscurity came Don Revie and Harry Reynolds, two self-made northerners and their handcrafted club, and this is their story, from their perspective.

"Revie's Leeds were like Marmite, loved by the faithful, reviled by the rest, forever branded Dirty Leeds for their uncompromising approach. Within five years, Leeds were champions once, runners- up twice, FA Cup finalists once, semi-finalists twice and raised the League and Fairs Cups but are characterised as the ultimate example of serial bottlers.

"The partnership of Revie and Reynolds was made in heaven. Revie couldn't have succeeded at another club or without Reynolds - they transformed a dreary football club into an industrial giant."

The 60-year-old said the idea behind the book was a very simple one.

"It’s the logical next step after the previous three books. It takes a very special period in the history of Leeds United and the people that shaped it. I particularly wanted to explore the relationships between the key players in the story and I think that comes across quite well."

Dave said the book was the first in a series that will cover Leeds United winning three league championships.

"This book covers the period from the mid-50s to 1969, the next covers 1969-82 and the third covers 1982-96," he added.

Dirty Leeds: The First Title is out now priced at £12.99. It is available to buy HERE.

****************

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins