A 'forgotten' former England manager is set to be honoured in his hometown of Middlesbrough, with the aim of inspiring the community through his remarkable achievements.
Don Revie, a pioneering footballer and coach who won numerous titles both on and off the pitch, has often been portrayed as a controversial and divisive figure, leading to his accomplishments being overlooked in football history.
Around two years ago, Middlesbrough & Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald and local Fly Me To The Moon football fanzine editor and Discover Middlesbrough organiser Robert Nichols approached Archibald Primary, Revie's former school, about changing this. Revie's story becomes even more intriguing when considering his rivalry with Brian Clough.
Both born in Middlesbrough and living roughly a mile from Ayresome Park in opposite directions, they went on to become England footballers and top-level managers, winning numerous trophies. However, while Clough, often referred to as the 'greatest manager England never had', has a statue in Albert Park, a plaque on his old house on Valley Road, and a street named after him in Linthorpe, there is nothing in the town to suggest that Revie, who did manage England, ever lived in Middlesbrough, with even his former home on Bell Street in Newport unmarked.
Earlier this year, Andy McDonald and Robert Nichols saw an opportunity to apply to the local arts programme Borderlands for support for a project to commemorate Revie's achievements. In collaboration with the school, local historian Dr Tosh Warwick and Teesside artists Helen and Derek, a proposal was made for a square metre mosaic at Archibald Primary School, which will be visible to passers-by.
Mr McDonald stated: "Don Revie was a pioneer in football and his achievements were utterly remarkable. In a very short space of time he took a second division side in Leeds United to the top of the English game and into Europe. But whereas others like Brian Clough and Bill Shankly who have had similar achievements are hero figures across the nation, Don Revie is forgotten somewhat outside of Leeds.
"That someone from Middlesbrough's Newport area could rise to be one of only 16 people to ever hold the permanent position of England football manager and the story not be told seemed to us a crying shame. He is a fascinating character who has divided opinion but someone who we should perhaps look again at for the town of Middlesbrough and we hope in this piece of art that we do just that and inspire the pupils of Archibald to know that they can achieve anything they want to.”
Biographies of Don Revie tell the story of how he honed his football skills by going early to Archibald School and practicing by kicking a ball against the playground walls before lessons began.
Archibald Deputy Headteacher Steve Cowgill said: "We are really proud that our school has such a long history and are looking forward to working on this exciting project relating to an ex-pupil who went on to be a significant local and national figure. Our aim is that as many pupils and their parents and carers as possible can become involved in creating this lasting recognition to Don Revie.”
The initiative is one of Art Council England's Creative People and Places (CPP) projects, known as Borderlands, which covers Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland and is funding the Don Revie project. Hosted by Teesside University and managed by an independent consortium, Borderlands aims to work "with our communities to tell the stories of our people and our places. We use creativity to amplify voices which are rarely heard and often ignored."
Louise Scholes, Creative Producer at Borderlands, expressed her enthusiasm for the project: "This project incorporates so many of Borderlands' key values, celebrating local history and heritage through intergenerational storytelling and creativity. We are so excited to support the community of Archibald Primary as they explore the story of Don Revie and radically reimagine what their own futures may hold!".
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