A Riddlesden man has written a book setting the record straight about one of English football’s most controversial figures.

During a 13-year spell as Leeds United manager, Don Revie built a still-revered side that took countless honours, including league titles, an FA Cup, European trophies and a league cup.

But his managerial success began to slide after he left the club in 1974 to take on the England job and he was heavily criticised when he gave up that role three years later to accept a lucrative post with the United Arab Emirates.

In “Revie: Revered and Reviled”, sports journalist Richard Sutcliffe provides a fresh insight into the man and reveals facets of his character not seen by the public.

Mr Sutcliffe, 37, of Granby Drive, was motivated to write the book after the film The Damned United — focusing on Brian Clough’s brief spell as manager at Elland Road — portrayed his predecessor Revie in a poor light.

“Whenever a list of the great British football managers is compiled, there is usually one glaring omission — Don,” said Mr Sutcliffe. “It is almost as if, outside Leeds, he has been airbrushed from history. This is despite the tremendous warmth that, as my research for the book discovered, still exists towards Don even today – whether it be Joe Royle, who insists one particular half-time team-talk for England was the most inspirational he ever heard, or the members of that great Leeds team who viewed Don as a surrogate father. The Revie family — and particularly Don’s two children, Duncan and Kim — have been a tremendous help to me, making writing the book a labour of love.”

The biography, the first authorised book on Revie’s life since his autobiography in 1955, includes revelations about how the Earl of Harewood — the Queen’s cousin and president of the FA — was outraged at plots to replace Revie as England boss.

The book’s foreword was written by Kevin Keegan and there are contributions from many ex-Leeds United players — such as Eddie Gray, Peter Lorimer and Trevor Cherry — and former England stars.

Part of the proceeds from each copy sold will go towards an appeal to fund a statue of Revie outside the Elland Road stadium.

“The statue is long overdue recognition for the man who built Leeds United almost from scratch,” said Mr Sutcliffe.

Revie: Revered and Reviled is published by Great Northern Books, priced £16.99.

To order a signed copy phone 01274 735056 or visit greatnorthernbooks.co.uk.