Final challenge for Don Revie

Press, 2 December 1987, Page 48

Final challenge for Don Revie

Don Revie, the former Leeds United and England soccer manager, is crippled by the muscle wasting motor neurone disease that killed the famous British actor, David Niven.

Mr Revie, aged 60, had the disease confirmed by specialists in Texas recently, who explained that it ravages the nervous system and leads to paralysis.

Mr Revie, who already walks with a stick and has difficulty getting out of chairs said: “When I first learned what it was I cried, the whole family cried. But there is no point hiding away and waiting for the end, I’m going to fight it all the way.”

The disease attacks one in 100,000 and victims sometimes choke to death when their throat muscles fail. Specialists say Mr Revie could die within three years, although some victims live longer. Mr Revie, who works for his son, Duncan, as a sports consultant in Scotland, was a successful manager with Leeds United from 1961-74 and went on to manage England. He incured the

wrath of English supporters when he left in controversial circumstances for a soccer job in The United Arab Emirates. Duncan Revie recalled those days of success for his father at Leeds.

“I still hero-worship dad, not just because he’s my father but because he’s a fantastic man. He’s the best man motivator I’ve ever come across. If I’m down he can pick me UP and if I'm getting too big for my boots, he’ll let me know. He manages to do it without anyone knowing it’s happening. He’s got a brilliant touch, that’s why he was one of the greatest managers of all time. It’s a funny thing to say, but it’s incredible how famous he still is. He’s been out of football for over 10 years, but he still stops the traffic.” Duncan Revie’s younger days were filled with football.

“My abiding memory of childhood is that it was football daft. It was just Leeds United Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, eating, sleeping, breathing football. The whole household was involved in the build-up to thep next game. There

were so many superstitions we had to follow like dad always wore the same suit and followed the same routine. I remember on the day of the 1961 Cup Final between Burnley and Spurs, some of the youngsters from Leeds United came round to watch the match on television at our house. Dad told me to sit in the corner, watch the match and keep quiet It’s amazing when I look back and think that those teenagers like Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter became really great footballers. “Dad always says that he wasn’t at home much to see us but I don’t remember it like that. I was never conscious of missing him, which probably speaks volumes for mum. If he had been home every night at 5.30 to take me to the pictures or to play in the back garden, that might have seemed like a more ideal father role. But I don’t think it would have worked out as well, as it has. He gave me a very exciting life which made me less willing to accept the mundane. I don’t regret one second of it

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