Petition - The FA to apologise to the family of Don Revie
January 28, 2022
Don Revie had a unique, brilliant, and inventive footballing brain, winning multiple honours and creating a team that not only dominated English football for over a decade, but was feared throughout Europe. A Footballer and Manager of the Year, an England player and manager, few, if any match his record. Indeed, without Don Revie, many of the innovative aspects of the modern game would not exist.
Yet his reputation was tainted by certain members of the Football Association who intrigued, interfered, and intimidated him as England Manager leading to his eventual resignation. Don Revie was certainly way ahead of his time, but the FA was fifty years behind, in a bygone age, culturally and professionally.
Instead of being lauded in the pantheon of footballing greats for his achievements and revolutionary ideas, the FA continued a vendetta to the detriment of Don and his family, the legacy of which persists today
At the Leeds United Supporters Network (LUSN), we welcome the efforts of Chris Evans MP, who through his book ‘Don Revie the Biography’ drew attention to the underhand tactics of the FA and has spearheaded the campaign to obtain an apology for Don Revie's family.
This petition will highlight the depth of feeling, not only amongst Leeds United Supporters, but throughout the wider footballing world, that history should be written by those that achieve, not by those who administer.
Clive Miers, Vice Chair of Leeds United Supporters Network, commented,
‘Looking through today's footballing prism, Don Revie was a footballing colossus; Not only did he have immense success as a player and manager, but he undoubtedly laid the groundwork for many successful players and managers that have followed. In many respects he is the father of the modern game, and it is hoped that the FA recognise that the vexatious and vindictive actions of their predecessors have done immeasurable harm to his reputation, to his family and indeed English football. We would urge everybody who appreciates football and its history to sign the petition’.
The Leeds United Supporters’ Network is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Yorath, aged 75. Terry was a proud servant of Leeds United , a former Wales captain and manager, and a respected figure in football both on and off the pitch. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. Terry emerged as a strong, natural leader in Don Revie’s great Leeds United side of the early 1970s. Although born in Cardiff, Wales, he signed as a schoolboy, and went on to play a key role in the 1973–74 First Division title-winning team and featured in the 1975 European Cup Final, becoming the first Welshman to play in that competition’s final. He later enjoyed distinguished spells with Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur, captaining Coventry with pride, and represented Wales with great commitment, earning 59 caps. Beyond his playing days, Terry gave much to the game as a manager, most notably with Wales, where he led a talented side that came heartbreakingly close to qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. His life was marked by personal tragedy, including the loss of his son Daniel and his presence at the Bradford City fire, events that showed his courage and humanity away from football. Terry Yorath will be remembered by LUSN members, and Leeds United fans everywhere, as a fierce competitor, a leader, and a man who represented our club with honour. As with all our legends, he will never be forgotten.
Hampshire Whites present cheque to Piam Brown Ward
