Don Revie OBE, 1927–1989. A personal archive.
The 1972 Club was a group of supporters who helped fund the Don Revie tribute at Leeds United. Don Revie was the legendary manager who transformed the club during his 1961–1974 reign; among his major honours was the 1972 FA Cup, when Leeds beat Arsenal 1–0 at Wembley.
The Don Revie Statue Appeal was organised to create a permanent tribute to him at Elland Road. The campaign was successful, and the bronze statue — the work of Barnsley sculptor Graham Ibbeson — was unveiled on 5 May 2012. It stands outside Elland Road on Lowfields Road, opposite the East Stand entrance.
The 1972 FA Cup Final — Leeds United 1–0 Arsenal
Played at Wembley on 6 May 1972 in front of 100,000 spectators, this was one of the defining moments of the Revie era. Arsenal arrived as holders and reigning league champions, having completed the Double in 1970/71. Leeds were one of England’s strongest sides but had never won the FA Cup. It was also the centenary final — although technically the 91st, because of the two World Wars.
The first half was goalless. Arsenal’s Charlie George hit the crossbar. Then, in the 53rd minute, Mick Jones delivered a hard, shoulder-high cross into the penalty area and Allan “Sniffer” Clarke attacked it with a powerful header from around fifteen yards, beyond Geoff Barnett. Leeds held on for the remaining thirty-seven minutes to claim their first FA Cup.
Leeds starting XI: David Harvey; Paul Reaney, Paul Madeley, Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter; Billy Bremner (c), Johnny Giles; Peter Lorimer, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones, Eddie Gray. Manager: Don Revie.
Arsenal’s side contained several of their Double winners — Frank McLintock, Peter Storey, Alan Ball, George Armstrong, Charlie George, John Radford and George Graham, with Ray Kennedy replacing Radford in the 73rd minute.
The final has an unusual place in Leeds culture: “Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!”, better known as “Marching On Together”, originated around this match and became the club’s anthem. The victory mattered because Leeds had suffered so many painful near-misses — and, remarkably, it remains the club’s last competitive final victory to date, apart from the 1992 Charity Shield.
The signed photograph
This signed photograph was bought through my membership of the 1972 Club. Its certificate confirms it as number 24 of a limited edition of 120 prints, hand signed by Allan Clarke, Mick Bates, Jack Charlton, Eddie Gray, Norman Hunter, Paul Reaney, Peter Lorimer, David Harvey, John Giles, Mick Jones and Paul Madeley, and signed off by Jim Cadman, Chairman of the Don Revie Tribute.
When the photographs were signed in 2011, the only player from the team who had sadly passed away was our captain and legend, Billy Bremner. As of 2026, only six remain with us. The Billy Bremner signature included in the photograph was cut from my old autograph book — it is a little faded now, but it is still there, and that makes the photograph particularly special to me.
My place in the 1972 Club
My involvement began on 4 February 2011, when I received my official welcome to the 1972 Club in support of the Don Revie statue. The accompanying invoice records my membership as No. 140, at a cost of £250.
The membership package included a limited-edition Don Revie maquette and a copy of the Don Revie Tribute Magazine signed by ten former Leeds United players. My membership certificate confirmed the connection between the membership and the maquette: No. 140 of a limited edition of only 250. The certificate identifies the maquettes as sculpted by Graham Ibbeson and is signed by Jim Cadman, Chairman of The Don Revie Tribute. My maquette carries the same number — 140 of 250.
The archive now includes the original 4 February 2011 welcome letter, the £250 invoice identifying me as Member No. 140, the 1972 Club certificate confirming No. 140 of 250, and the corresponding No. 140/250 Don Revie maquette.
The ten signatories
As part of the £250 membership package, each member of the 1972 Club received a copy of the Don Revie Tribute Magazine, with an insert signed by ten former Leeds United players. My copy was signed by:
- Paul Reaney
- Norman Hunter
- Allan Clarke
- Peter Lorimer
- Mick Bates
- Trevor Cherry
- Mike O’Grady
- John Giles
- Eddie Gray
- Terry Yorath
These are particularly significant names in the story of Don Revie’s Leeds United. Collectively they represent some of the players who were central to the club’s rise during the Revie years.
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