Looking For Eric

Ever since a 'dodgy' referee and a crackly transistor radio reduced his family to tears as they listened to the 1975 European Cup final, Rick Broadbent has been both blessed and cursed to be a Leeds United fan. Looking for Eric is the story of his quest to track down the legends of Elland Road and discover if they lived, breathed, ate, slept, loved and hated Leeds just as he had - or was it merely a day job?In the course of his journey, Broadbent gathers first-hand accounts of the best and worst moments in the club's history, including the championship triumphs, cup shocks and European controversies, as well as unearthing a plethora of fascinating stories and anecdotes. We hear Peter Lorimer's description of Don Revie's neuroses, learn the real reasons behind Gordon Strachan's departure, witness Tony Currie's battle with the bottle and discover who had a bust-up with the legendary Pele. Weaving portraits of players such as Billy Bremner and Eddie Gray into a colourful history of a club that has inspired such extremes of emotion, this updated version analyses the effects of the court case that tore the club asunder, the sacking of David O'Leary and the sale of Rio Ferdinand. Including contributions from Dominic Matteo, the new captain, and a remarkably candid interview with Peter Ridsdale, the chairman, Looking For Eric is by turns tragic, comic, farcical, scandalous and heart-rending.