A sterling tribute to late Leeds United chairman Leslie Silver

Penned by Leeds writer John Fisher, Painting The Town Silver follows its philanthropist subject’s journey from London’s East End to the top of the business and football worlds.

Its launch next week will be tinged with sadness, however, as the event comes a little over two months after Mr Silver’s death at the age of 89.

And its writer today revealed that, although Mr Silver read and approved the manuscript, he never got to see the finished book.

John, a friend of the Silver family, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The manuscript was delivered two or three months before Leslie died and I think it’s fair to say he was chuffed with it.”

He added: “In typically modest fashion, Leslie was reluctant to commit his life story to paper, but was persuaded to allow me to pen the memoir for the benefit of his future family generations and to celebrate his 90th birthday, which sadly he did not live to see.”

A decorated veteran of the RAF’s Bomber Command campaigns in the Second World War, Mr Silver built up a multi-million pound paint business after returning to civvy street in 1947.

He was chairman at Leeds between 1983 and 1996, a period which included a promotion-winning season and the club’s famous First Division title triumph under manager Howard Wilkinson.

The man known to United fans everywhere as ‘Sgt Wilko’ has written the foreword to the book, which also features a wealth of fascinating photos.

Its launch will take place next Tuesday, March 3, at The Leeds Library on Commercial Street in the city centre, start time 12.30pm.

Painting The Town Silver is published by Beecroft Publications, priced £12 in hardback.

Copies can be ordered from Amazon Books UK or by calling 0113 265 2350.

John’s first book was An Audience of Curious People, the story of a Leeds drama group called the Proscenium Players.