Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Phil Craig
Guest(s)
Release Date
12 October 2023
Duration
68 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Phil Craig to revisit the remarkable rise of Leeds United under Don Revie — a decade of dominance, discipline, and debate that transformed English football.
When Revie took charge in 1961, Leeds were a struggling Second Division side on the brink of financial collapse. By the time he left in 1974, they were one of the most formidable teams in Europe — a side defined by intelligence, intensity, and unrelenting professionalism.
Revie’s approach was revolutionary. He introduced meticulous tactical preparation, pre-match dossiers, and a deep sense of togetherness that made Elland Road both a fortress and a family. His superstitions — from lucky charms to ritual routines — became part of the club’s mystique. Leeds played with precision and steel, embodying Revie’s belief in control and collective spirit.
Between 1964 and 1973, Leeds won two league titles, two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and a Charity Shield, while finishing runners-up on countless occasions. Yet their style — uncompromising and fiercely competitive — earned them the “Dirty Leeds” label, a reputation that often overshadowed their brilliance.
This episode explores Revie’s transformation of Leeds into a footballing machine: his faith in players like Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter, and Peter Lorimer; his emotional bond with the club; and his tragic exit from both Leeds and England duty under a cloud of controversy.
Leeds United 1964–1973 were not just a team — they were a phenomenon. Ruthless, resented, respected, and revered, they embodied the thin line between greatness and infamy.
Takeaways
Don Revie was one of football’s great innovators and polarising figures.
Leeds rose from obscurity to become a dominant European force.
Their ruthless efficiency earned admiration and resentment in equal measure.
Revie’s attention to detail set new managerial standards.
Leeds’ legacy lies in both their brilliance and their misunderstood aggression.
Leeds United 1964–1973: The Empire of Don Revie
Few teams have divided opinion like Don Revie’s Leeds United. Between 1964 and 1973, they rose from the Second Division to become the most dominant and feared side in English football — masters of control, consistency, and calculated aggression.
Revie’s Leeds were a family forged through discipline and belief. He revolutionised preparation, creating opponent dossiers, tactical rehearsals, and a culture of unity. Players like Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter, and Johnny Giles embodied his philosophy: hard-working, loyal, and unyielding.
Their achievements were extraordinary — two league titles, two Fairs Cups, an FA Cup, and a League Cup — yet the number of near-misses tells an even deeper story. Leeds were runners-up in countless competitions, often falling just short of perfection.
Critics called them “Dirty Leeds.” Supporters called them heroes. The truth lay somewhere in between — a side whose competitive edge matched their quality, whose ambition sometimes spilled into ruthlessness. But their football was far more sophisticated than the caricature suggested. It was tactical, intelligent, and ahead of its time.
Revie’s emotional connection with his club was unmatched. He nurtured players like family, guiding them through triumphs and heartbreaks until his controversial departure to manage England in 1974.
Leeds United 1964–1973 remain one of football’s great paradoxes — loved, loathed, but never ignored. They didn’t just win trophies; they redefined professionalism and left a legacy that still shapes football today.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Don Revie’s transformation of Leeds United from mediocrity to greatness
Superstition, psychology, and preparation as managerial tools
The “Dirty Leeds” myth and the truth behind their toughness
Domestic dominance and European near-misses
Revie’s emotional bond with his players and tragic England tenure
Promotion to the First Division in 1964
Winning the League title in 1968–69
Triumph in the 1972 FA Cup Final vs Arsenal
The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup victories of 1968 and 1971
The 1973 European Cup Winners’ Cup final defeat to AC Milan
Revie’s departure for England and the legacy he left behind
Notable Manager
Don Revie
Notable Players
Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter, Johnny Giles, Peter Lorimer, Eddie Gray, Paul Madeley, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones, Paul Reaney, Terry Cooper, Gary Sprake
Style of Play
4-4-2 Formation, Tactical Discipline, High Work Rate, Compact Defence, Transitional Play, Psychological Edge
Under Don Revie, Leeds United played a brand of football that was as efficient as it was effective. Built on tactical organisation, positional discipline, and unyielding work ethic, Leeds became the blueprint for the modern professional club.
Operating in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 hybrid, Leeds’ play was rooted in control — both psychological and physical. Revie demanded total preparation; his players studied opponents, rehearsed set plays meticulously, and maintained strict positional balance. The back line of Charlton, Hunter, and Cooper provided steel, while Giles and Bremner orchestrated midfield battles with a mix of aggression and artistry.
Leeds’ hallmark was adaptability. They could suffocate teams with pressing intensity, dominate possession through patient recycling, or strike with devastating precision via the pace of Gray and the finishing of Lorimer and Clarke. Their transitions were sharp, their tackles fierce, and their defensive organisation among the best in Europe.
Yet beneath the reputation for roughness lay technical excellence. Revie valued control — over the ball, over the game, and over the opposition. Matches were won as much in preparation as on the pitch. His belief in unity extended to family gatherings, social bonds, and an almost paternal care for his players.
Leeds United 1964–1973 were not just tough — they were tactically ahead of their time. Their intensity, structure, and camaraderie remain a benchmark for team-building in football’s modern era.
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