Don Revie (1927 - 1989)

Biography

Donald Revie, known as Don Revie, was born in Middlesbrough in 1927. Revie had some tragic moments in his early life, with his mother passing away when he was only 12 years old. At the age of 14 Revie had left school early to pursue a job as a bricklayer. It was in 1943 that Revie began his football career after joining Leicester City Football Club (Baker, 2010). Seven years later Hull City bought the centre forward, where he resided for three years. Moving to Manchester City in 1953, he reached the peak of his playing career, “Winning six England caps …. voted footballer of the year in 1955.” And winning “the Football Association (FA) cup in 1956” (Baker, 2010). In 1961 Revie was appointed Leeds United manager. Leeds United was near relegation when Revie was first appointed and during his first season only remaining in the second division by three points (Leeds United, 2020). Revie’s goal was to rebuild the club and include more young players through his youth policy. “Revie led Leeds to the first division for the first time”, a league cup title and an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. (Leeds United, 2020) The 1973/74 season was Revies last and he “went out with a bang, as Leeds were crowned First Division Champions for a second time”. To this date “No manager…. has repeated the feat of Revie at Leeds” (Leeds United, 2020). He was voted manager of the year in 1969, 1970, and 1972 and awarded an OBE in 1970 (Baker, 2010). In 1989 Revie succumbed to complications from motor neurone disease.

Context

The 8 foot celebratory statue was unveiled at the east end of Elland road stadium on 5 May 2012, with his two children in attendance. The motivation behind the statue was to celebrate the “club's greatest manager” (Leeds United, 2020). The early days of fundraising started back in late 2010 with the ‘1972 Club’. The 1972 club was “formed as a key part of the fund-raising activities for a statue in tribute to the great Leeds United manager” (Leeds United, 2010). Whilst there some controversy about Revie’s “dirty” tactics when it came to the game, praises were sung about the manager and the statue alike (BBC, 2012). At the unveiling event it was stated that in memory of Revie, “All profits…. will be donated to motor neurone research” (BBC, 2012). However, over the years since its unveiling many people have shared concerns about its location through fan forums and even petitions. Many feel ‘the Don’ deserves a more of a central position to give him the “glory he deserves” (Change, 2019) .

The statue

Date Erected:
Unveiled 5th May 2012

Artist:
Graham Ibbeson (1951 - )

Commissioned / funded by:
Leeds United FC. Funded by Leeds United Fans, “ The statue was paid for by funds raised by thousands of Leeds fans up and down the country” (Daily Mail, 2012)

Format and materials:
Bronze statue on a stone plinth

Location:
Just Outside Elland Road. The decision to erect a statue of Revie on Elland Road was due to his contributions to Leeds United during his time as both a player and a manger, but particularly for leading the team through the most successful period in its history.

Description:
8ft tall, 30 stone bronze statue of Don Revie in a celebratory pose. Featuring a plaque on the stone plinth – “Don Revie OBE, 1927-1989 sponsored by the fans of Leeds United FC unveiled on the 5th May 2012 by members of the Leeds United 1972 FA cup winning team, Sculptor: Graham Ibbeson”

Sources

• BBC (2012) 'Don Revie statue unveiled 40 years after FA Cup victory', 5 May
• Daily Mail (2012) 'Leeds' legendary manager Revie honoured with bronze statue at Elland Road', 5 May 2012,
• Leeds United News (2010) '1972 CLUB KICKS-OFF REVIE STATUE APPEAL', 6 Oct.
• Leeds United News (2020) 'Don Revie: Always Remembered, Never Forgotten', 26 May 2020
• National Football Museum
• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
• Stride, C., Wilson, J. P. & Thomas, F., 2013. Honouring heroes by branding in bronze: theorizing the UK's football statuary. Sport in society, 18 January, pp. 752-762.

[Image by 'Rich Tea' via Wikimedia Commons]