Emotional day as ‘The Don’ is unveiled

Almost forty years to the day after his Leeds United team beat Arsenal to win the FA Cup a statue of their manager Don Revie was unveiled at Elland Road.

The bronze of The Don by sculptor Graham Ibbeson was lowered into place at the club’s ground last week and was officially unveiled on Saturday.

Mr Ibbeson’s £90,000 statue has been placed next to the Centenary Pavilion, opposite the East Stand, and the unveiling was attended by friends and family, including Revie’s children, Duncan and Kim, and former players.

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Fans also looked on as the statue of the legendary manager was unveiled.

The long-awaited unveiling of the Don Revie Statue took place almost 40 years to the day since the club beat Arsenal to win the Centenary FA Cup.

Mr Ibbeson has admitted feeling “emotional” – even though he hails from Barnsley.

“Don’s daughter said it looks just like her father. That’s a fitting tribute to me and a nice pat on the back,” he added.

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Revie won many competitions with Leeds United during the 1960s and 1970s, spending 13 trophy-filled years as United’s manager before leaving to take charge of the England team in 1974.

Saturday’s big moment was preceded by a breakfast screening in Elland Road’s Centenary Pavilion of United’s famous 1972 FA Cup final win over Arsenal.

A celebratory lunch took place in the ground’s Gary Speed Suite attended by several members of the 1972 side after the ceremony.

‘The Don’ was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 1987 and died two years later at the age of just 61. Fittingly, proceeds from Saturday’s event will be donated to research into motor neurone disease (MND).

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Prof Karen Morrison, who leads the MND Research Centre at the University of Birmingham, said: “A big thank you to everyone associated with the Don Revie statue for your contribution and your support.”