exactly... Although scum got their revenge when they beat us 4.0 at ER a game I was at and Wilko was sacked the next day. That french tart scored the 4th from the spot.
Selling him to them for a million must be one of the worst footballing decisions the club has ever made
Great post Billy. I’m lucky enough to have seen the birth of the Revie team, and everything thereafter. All 3 Managers we’re discussing had highs and lows. Brought up with Billy/Jonny/Norman/Eddie etc I loved it that the team was respected/feared everywhere we went, whether Europe or at home. It was fantastic that we had a brilliant set of kids coming through together, harnessed by the great Bobby Collins. However my overriding feeling is the team shortchanged itself, we should have won a lot lot more than we did. No doubt many disgraceful refereeing decisions played a part in that not happening. Turning to Wilko, I think he was given a hell of a lot of financial support, compared to some of his predecessors. However he bought well and moulded a terrifically, fit side, with one of the best midfields of its era. Some of the games, a great spectacle to watch. I feel after we won the 1st Division title, the change to the back pass rule, killed us, and I don’t think we ever fully recovered, under Howard’s managership. When Marcelo arrived, I didn’t know what to expect. I had no knowledge of his exploits because I rarely watch football, if we’re not playing. That first game against Stoke and the following away fixture at FF’s Derby was a total revelation. Don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed watching us play so much. Totally unexpected. Maybe because I’m a lot older now, and we’ve gone through “lockdown”, also there’s far more media coverage these days than in the 60’s, but I think Ive enjoyed the time under Marcelo the most. We are respected again. Wouldn’t want to really choose which is better, just glad I’m Leeds. MOT
Cannot disagree with any of that and I too was around in the 60s watching Dons new team and the way Bobby Collins ran the show whilst wee Billy found his voice and personality. First headline I remember on the back pages was “Leeds Bury ‘Em” after we smashed Bury 5-0
I think you are so right about the back pass rule changing, Fairclough, Chris Whyte and, in particular, Lukic were floored by that
Wilko was a far better manager for us than Bielsa Wilko made us English champions, and IMO, put together a far better team than Bielsa ever did.
On a side note, IMO the all-time Leeds Utd team is: Martyn Cherry - Charlton - Hunter - Dorigo Strachen - Giles - Bremner - Kewell Charles - Yeboah