The best moments from Leeds United's 1970s documentary, The Don of Elland Road

By Paul Robinsons
Published 22nd Feb 2019, 11:14 BST
Updated 22nd Feb 2019, 11:27 BST

It's a fascinating snapshot of life at Leeds United during the club’s glory years under legendary manager Don Revie. Directed by much-loved TV programme-maker and sports commentator Sid Waddell, The Don of Elland Road follows United for two weeks during the closing stages of their championship-winning 1973/74 season.

The 25-minute programme had, by modern standards, a remarkable level of access, variously showing Revie at work, on the golf course and even chatting to a reporter on the phone while in bed at home. Now history is set to repeat itself, with filming under way on another behind-the-scenes documentary – this time telling the story of Marcelo Bielsa’s bid to guide United back to the top flight of English football. And, with that in mind, the Yorkshire Evening Post has revisited The Don of Elland Road, picking out 10 of its finest moments of the documentary which is available to view on the Yorkshire Film Archive website.

The Don of Elland Road was a 1970s documentary on life at Elland Roadplaceholder image
The Don of Elland Road was a 1970s documentary on life at Elland Road
The documentary's opening credits offer a glorious rush of 1970s nostalgia, complete with Harlem Globetrotters-style lettering, United's smiley badge and - of course - the familiar sound of club anthem Marching on Together.placeholder image
The documentary's opening credits offer a glorious rush of 1970s nostalgia, complete with Harlem Globetrotters-style lettering, United's smiley badge and - of course - the familiar sound of club anthem Marching on Together.
Don was a famously superstitious character and the documentary's first scene shows part of his pre-match routine - walking to a 'lucky' lamppost before immediately turning round and heading back to the team hotel.placeholder image
Don was a famously superstitious character and the documentary's first scene shows part of his pre-match routine - walking to a 'lucky' lamppost before immediately turning round and heading back to the team hotel.
Don gives a phone interview from his bed the morning after the Liverpool game before his wife, Elsie, brings him breakfast. Don jokingly tells her: "I thought I wasn't going to get any after that result."placeholder image
Don gives a phone interview from his bed the morning after the Liverpool game before his wife, Elsie, brings him breakfast. Don jokingly tells her: "I thought I wasn't going to get any after that result."
The documentary heads to the golf course with Don, who is resplendent in a pink jumper and check trousers. He is playing with Elsie, who takes great delight in her husband's struggles to stay on the fairway.placeholder image
The documentary heads to the golf course with Don, who is resplendent in a pink jumper and check trousers. He is playing with Elsie, who takes great delight in her husband's struggles to stay on the fairway.
Related topics:Elland RoadDon RevieYorkshire Evening PostMarcelo Bielsa
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