PROMISED LAND:
the Reinvention of Leeds United
East Leeds Magazine, September 2010

After reading the promotional stuff comparing this book to ‘Fever Pitch’ and ‘Damned United’ I couldn't wait to read this. I needed my football/Leeds United fix during the close season, especially as England failed so miserably in South Africa. To be honest the promotional blurb was inaccurate, both the aforementioned books are great reads but essentially both are works of fiction. Promised Land is real life, warts and all and we've had some bloody grim times in Leeds and that’s with some massive warts!

It's not just a book about following a football team, it's a book about a city, not any city, our city. It explores the lives of the city’s Jewish population, charters Leeds change from a Victorian industrial town into the super-sized metropolis it is now and uses the history and support of Leeds United as it's backdrop.

Dirty Leeds, Greedy Leeds, Doing a Leeds, various era’s and events throughout our club’s history have become etched in the vocabulary of many a football supporter. Outside Leeds City Station hung a sign 'Leeds the Promised Land Delivered.' This book explains why this sign was put up and taken down as well as delving into the Revie era, the wilderness of the old Second Division, Sergeant Wilko's Championships and Ridsdale’s goldfish era before bringing us bang up-to-date with last season’s promotion.

Also addressed are more sensitive issues- racism, hooliganism, police brutality, David Oluwale,  the Yorkshire Ripper, corruption,  Bowyer and Woodgate's trial, deluded directors, our club’s ability to always shoot itself in the foot. Believe me, it is often far from pleasant reading, but it is (like the club and the city) always fascinating.    Author, Leeds lad and Sunday Mirror sports writer, Anthony Clavane, gets inside the fabric and pulls at the stitches of the football club and city. It's a book which will make you glow with pride and cry out with knowing despair if you have any feelings for our fair city or football club.

Out now in all good book shops, on line, etc.

"'Promised Land'... entertains, educates and enlightens.  My only gripe is that it’s too short, which is really a veiled compliment: I just wanted to read more." Robert Endeacott author of 'Dirty Leeds.'

With 'Promised Land', Anthony Clavane has delivered an absorbing, compelling & very personal history and dissection of Leeds, the city and the club. Brilliant.

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