LUFCTALK

To Johnny Giles who is 78 today.

Shame he never got to manage us after the Don.

Great player.

Happy Birthday JG.

SCOTTISH LEEDS wrote:https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leed ... y-14806352

Great piece. Thanks for that, SL.

Thanks for the article. Very good and very true. Anyone who saw him play in that Revie era could only drool at his skills, toughness and understanding of the game. There were many excellent players in other teams in the league at that time but Giles would have been my number one pick. A little magician.

523 appearances in 12 seasons - almost 44 per year. Wow.

I posted this elsewhere last year, paraphrased from an interview with ex Millwall and Man U player (now journalist) Eamonn Dunphy:

On joining Leeds: Said he knew his time in Old Trafford was up because Busby had lost confidence in him. He asked for a transfer on Tuesday and was at Elland Road by Thursday. One reason for joining was that even though Leeds were a 2nd Division side, he knew that they had finished the previous season strongly and were getting good crowds at games. Secondly, Bobby Collins was his hero. If Leeds were good enough for Bobby, then they were good enough for anyone.

Busby v Revie debate: Believes that Busby could not do what Revie did in building a new team and getting them to great heights, but Revie was not sure how to bring them forward once they had reached their peak (1968 - 74). He reckons Busby knew how to do that.

Leaving Leeds: Even though he was not motivated by money, he still believed in being treated fairly. Players were treated badly by clubs in those days. West Brom offered £50,000 to buy him, but no signing on fee. They claimed Leeds would sort that. Chairman Manny Cussins offered him £5,000 to leave – John told him where to stick it! His defence was that he was bought for £32,000, gave 12 good years’ service and was being sold at a profit. Cussins said he was already well looked after (on £200 per week for his last year). John left Leeds without a testimonial. He had been on a waiting list but it never materialised, mainly due to the fact he had fallen out with the board over the manager’s position when Clough and then Jimmy Armfield took over.

https://soundcloud.com/thestandwitheamo ... john-giles

https://soundcloud.com/thestandwitheamo ... les-part-2

https://soundcloud.com/thestandwitheamo ... les-part-3

League Cup 1968

Lash - 72 today.