The
Rise and Fall of a Football Dream
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Leeds United were living the dream.
The club was challenging Europe’s elite, packed with exciting talent,
and riding high in the Premier League. But by 2004, that dream had turned
into a nightmare. Doing a Leeds is the definitive inside story
of one of English football’s most shocking collapses.
This compelling book charts the explosive journey of Leeds United from
1996 to 2005 — a period of sky-high ambition, boardroom misjudgements,
and financial freefall. What began as a thrilling adventure under chairman
Peter Ridsdale and manager David O’Leary quickly spiralled into scandal,
fire sales, and relegation.
With exclusive new interviews and revealing behind-the-scenes insights,
Doing a Leeds goes deeper than ever before. Author Dave Tomlinson
uncovers the truth behind the headlines: the Bowyer/Woodgate court case
that rocked the club, the hubris of record-breaking spending, the failed
promises of new owners, and the shocking reality of how a Champions League
semi-finalist ended up broken and bankrupt.
Featuring conversations with key figures like Howard Wilkinson, Michael
Ricketts, and Leeds United Supporters’ Trust chairman John Boocock, the
book offers first-hand perspectives from those at the heart of the storm.
Fans, officials, and insiders all shed light on the chaos, ambition, and
missteps that earned the club an infamous place in football folklore.
Tomlinson — whose The Man with the Plan earned praise for its
insight into Howard Wilkinson’s revolution — now turns his sharp eye to
an era marked by misplaced trust, bruised egos, and boardroom blunders.
Doing a Leeds is more than a cautionary tale. It’s a gripping
drama of dreams built and shattered, of a club that soared too high and
fell too fast. Whether you're a long-time supporter or a football history
enthusiast, this is an unmissable account of how it all went wrong — and
what lessons still resonate today.
Get a copy at Pitch Publishing
or Amazon.
Author signed copies are available by e-mailing dave.tomlinson@gmail.com.
| Published by Pitch Publishing (18 August 2025) |
| ISBN 978-1836801726 (Hardback) |
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| Paperback: 288 pages |
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