Don Revie by Christopher Evans

Author:Christopher Evans [Evans, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472973382
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

15

Leeds United (1970–71)

‘I cannot mention names but I have a little book with two names in it and if I get the chance to do them I will.’

Jack Charlton

Looking ahead to the 1970–71 season, Revie thought only Everton and Manchester City could challenge Leeds for the league title. And Frank McGhee of the Daily Mirror agreed, saying both Liverpool and Manchester United were fading forces, going through a transitional spell.

The bookies also agreed, making Leeds United favourites for the title at 7–2 and current league champions Everton 4–1. Even as early as August journalist Ken Jones predicted it was going to be a two-horse race between last season’s two top-placed sides.

When McGhee asked Revie whether his Leeds side were going to be affected by the events of 1970 when the side came so close to the treble but only had a place in the European Fairs Cup to show for their efforts, Revie was defiant.

‘Over the years the bigger the disappointment the more fiercely our lads have responded. Last year was perhaps the biggest disappointment of all and that is the reason why I feel sure we will do well this time.’

To many, the reason why Leeds finished up empty-handed was because they had simply played too many games. To Revie, there was no question his side were going to forfeit any cup competition to focus on the league championship and another crack at the European Cup. It came down to economics.

The summer had seen updates – a newly-laid pitch, a grandstand and office accommodation. It was estimated that the new building work would eventually cost more than £1 million. As Revie said to McGhee, ‘We cannot exist without them [cup competitions]. With the class of player we must pay and the money we need to live our weekly bill is about £7,000. To get that through the turnstiles we need gates of 37,000 which means a place in the top four all the time to survive. We need the extra competitions to provide the profit for all this.’

Despite Leeds seeming to be everyone’s pick for the championship, the start to the season could not have been tougher. They visited Manchester United at Old Trafford on 15 August, Spurs at White Hart Lane four days later, then Everton at Elland Road on 28 August.

For Billy Bremner it was vital the team got off to a strong start, ‘The competition is fierce. That means teams which do not start well will find themselves struggling for top prizes, but where do you find an easy start? We have Manchester United, Spurs and Everton in our first three games. If we fail in these matches then we can forget about it.’

Despite having lifted the European Cup just two years earlier, Manchester United were not the same side. Both Bobby Charlton and Denis Law were ageing, George Best was losing interest and Sir Matt Busby had retired, leaving Wilf McGuinness in charge.

Even without Jack Charlton, Terry Cooper, Allan Clarke and Norman Hunter, who were all rested, having featured for England in the 1970 World Cup, Leeds were dominant.

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