My love affair with Leeds United began in the late 60s. I was the proud owner of a ‘Typhoo tea’ produced picture of Johnny Giles and a secondhand shirt with an owl badge.
By 1970, nine-year-old me devoured every minute of the tv coverage of the cup final clashes with Chelsea. My first visit to Elland Road was for a Wednesday night clash with Huddersfield. I got as far as the West Stand car park – full house – couldn’t get in. First game inside was on the Kop and we put five past Derby.
Season tickets continued until the early 90s. It was the European cup match with Rangers that I realised I wasn’t enjoying the experience as much as usual. Attendance dwindled and I’m now a committed armchair expert.
I say this to explain that the book was a bit like picking at a scab- painful at times but irresistible.
Phil Hay looks at the rollercoaster of the Bielsa years but also reminds us of just how bad things were before he arrived. He takes us back to the heady days of the O’Leary euro adventure, the financial meltdown and the madness of the Cellino reign.
Then came the hope of the Bielsa revolution. The heart stopping comebacks, kamikaze defending and the disbelief at becoming many a neutral’s favourite team.
Perhaps most poignantly is how it all ended. A brilliant football brain, a likeable giant of a man – all brought down by the financial pressures and fear of failure. As they say, it’s the hope that kills you.
This book is a must for Leeds supporters and a great read for any lover of the game.