|
The powerhouse that drove Don Revie's team, Bremner was a great
player and an inspirational captain. His Leeds playing career
spanned 16 years, from the Division 2 days right through to the
European Cup Final. In that time, he led Leeds to 2 League titles,
the League and FA Cups and 2 victories in the Inter-City Fairs Cup.
On a personal level, he was voted Footballer of the Year in 1970,
and won 54 caps for Scotland.
He was rejected by Arsenal and Chelsea for being "too small":
but his will to win and skill on the ball more than made up for any
lack of stature. Don Revie recognised the value of the youngster,
but his fiery temperament resulted in several brushes with the
footballing authorities and other players. He was famously sent off
for fighting with the saintly Kevin Keegan in the 1974 Charity
Shield at Wembley.
After leaving Leeds, he spent a couple of years at Hull before
moving on to Doncaster, where he took over the reins of management
and got them promoted twice (unfortunately from the same division
since he couldn't keep them up). In October 1985, he was called
back to Elland Road to try to do what Don Revie had done 25 years
before. He nearly made it, but a play-off replay and an FA Cup
semi-final were the peaks of his achievement and he was sacked in
September 1988. He died just before his 55th birthday, and a statue
of the great man now stands outside the ground where he enjoyed so
many triumphs.
Buy this excellent biography of Billy Bremner at Amazon now!
Don Mills says: My memory of Mr Bremner was at the end of a game
against Arsenal in the late 70's. Leeds were unlucky losers that
day. As the teams came off the pitch several handshakes and
conversations were taking place between the players. Billy was
having none of it. He was chest fallen. It appeared to me that the
loss hurt him personally. Perhaps this was one of the reasons he
never gave up on a game. Or was it the bookies???
Marc says: Billy was an excellent talent and will always be a
leeds legend. P.S. your site is excellent.
Daniel Jeffries says: I never saw Billy play live because I
wasn't born but I think that he was one of the most talented
players the world has ever seen.
Chris -F- says: I have never seen Billy in my lifetime because I
was born 16 years ago, though I am just learning about this
unbelievable talent who I respect dearly because of his will to
win. I feel I can relate to him because my attitude too winning is
exactly the same as his, winning is everything.
Jack Broxholme says: Around 1962 Billy opened an account in the
Midland Bank, Halton where I worked to open an account. In those
days you had to give two references or be 'introduced' by an
existing customer. As an avid young LUFC fan it was my pleasure to
write on his specimen signature card, 'introduced by Jack
Broxholme'.
Andrew says: Billy Bremner was very considerate to his
opponents, He always put iodine on his studs to avoid infection.
During one game against Man Utd he said to Norman Hunter "You flick
him up and I'll volley him" making sure that Besty overheard. By
the way George Best NEVER had a good game against Leeds.
Warren says: I never got to see Bremner play live but he was an
inspiration to me and my football. 4 was the number I wore from day
one of playing football. If more players today played as he did the
game would be better now and there wouldnt be so many actors on the
pitch.
Maggie Ryan, Orlando, Florida says: I was fortunate to be a
season-ticket holder at Elland Road from 1960 to 1974. I loved to
watch Billy - he put his heart and soul into every game. I worked
for YTV and we formed a ladies soccer team to play a couple of
Charity matches. LUFC lent us the complete strip, Billy and Big
Jack handed it to me. Some people thought I was related to Billy, I
have the same colour hair, same height, and same temper!
Barry Davis says: I saw Billy Bremner play on many occasions in
the 60s and 70s. He was, indeed, the most talented player Leeds had
and, with Johnny Giles, made up the best midfield in the country.
He had a knack of always being in the right place at the right
time. For instance, he scored the winning goal in the 1965 FA Cup
semi-final replay against Manchester United and, again, in the 1970
FA Cup second semi-final replay, also against Manchester United. He
could shoot from great distances and even head well. I was saddened
by his untimely death.
daniel dawson says: biily bremner is a class player
Gerry Brady says: I was a big Billy Bremner and Leeds United
fan. I became a Leeds United because of Billy Bremner. When I heard
that he died so young I was saddened. I would love to have been
able to meet him. I would love to thank him for he great effert he
put into winning.
James Old says: Billy was a very good player.
Dane says: Billy Bremner was the best player to ever pull on a
Leeds shirt
Nivy says: More Leeds players nowaday should play with pride and
passion like Bremner did.
Richard Brown says: I met Billy one evening at a sportmans
dinner in walshaw cricket club near Bury. Towards the end of the
evening he asked for directions to the M62 which so happened to be
near my house. Billy said he would only be too pleased to give me
and my two brothers a lift home. We had a good chat and laugh all
the way. The following year Billy stood up on the stage and said to
me and my brothers that the taxi home was still available. Again we
chated and laughed all the way. What a fantastic person he was. I'm
sure he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Rick (Man Utd
Fan)
Colin Green says: i went to school with Billy Bremner's son what
a guy he was if the current Leeds team played like Billy did we
would be winning the league if somebody cut him in half his inside
would read LUFC he was the greatest Leeds player of all time if we
could get 11 Billy Bremners we would be the greatist team on the
face of the earth
May Herrity says: i have been told that Billy's ancesters came
from Ireland does anybody know?
Bill Brennan says: I chose to support Leeds United all because
of Billy Bremner. One reason was because his name is similar to
mine( I was only 5 then) and two because he played for Scotland. I
was brought up in Coventry and was glad to endure watching Coventry
City play as long as I could watch the Leeds talents of those days.
Unforgettable.
Rob Lamb says: Simply when they broke the mould there will never
be another BILLY BREMNER. I watched from day one till the great
team ended their days and I had years of pleasure every season
,game after game and He gave his all every time,He was and still is
LEEDS UNITED.
Jack Bremner says: billy is my uncle
John Philip Bremner says: Although I didn't have the pleasure of
seeing billy play, one of my mates from manchester did. He used to
call me Billy because I'm the only Bremner he'd met in Canada.
Soccer rules in Canada too, thanks to satellite telivision.
Richard O'Hanlon says: I have lived in Ireland for the last
twenty six years but was born in headingley and lived there till i
was seventeen. I saw Billy play more times than i care to remember,
but only met him twice. He was my all time hero, my favourite
number is 4 for that reason. I met him the first time when he came
to present trophies at my school, St Michael's College, Leeds. I
met him again about eighteen months before he died. Allan Clarke
and himself were coming out of the West stand at Elland rd and we
just happened to bump into them. Allan i think is shy by nature but
he was very friendly, the wee man was amazing, regaling us with
stories of yesteryear. I haven't been to Elland rd since the statue
went up but will be this season. I am hoping i can buy a minutare
of it. A brilliant player and a really nice guy.
Dimitris says: Billy was my childhood hero,along with Vic
Morrow,when I was living back in Australia.He's the only reason
that I support the club for 32 years now.I just wish that we could
find a player with his quality.
Nick Harvey says: I think it was 1973. Leeds came to Stoke on an
unbeaten run of some 30 odd games. Stoke ran out 3-2 winners in a
thrilling and hard fought game. I remember clearly as the final
whistle blew the referee walking off the field with Billy Bremner
glued to his side arguing and gesticulating. Perhaps he didn't like
some decision but I think he just didn't want the game to end until
Leeds had saved their unbeaten record. It had to end some time but
Billy was having non of it. That was the kind of guy he was. That
was his level of commitment. Opposition fans loved to hate him. but
in the world of football, that can be the ultimate sign of
respect.
Andy Conner says: When as a seven year old, asked what I wanted
to be when I grew up, my response was "Billy Bremner". The most
inspirational player I have ever seen.
marc leone says: Does Billy have a son who is an off shore oil
man in Scotland?
Danny Conner says: Jodie Morris has brought shame to our beloved
Billy Bremner's number 4 shirt!!
paddy says: a great player,the best
Tom Ruddy says: When I was a kid I wanted to be Billy
Bremner
Fred A says: I saw Billy Bremner play only the once against Man
City in 76 at my first ever live game: my main memory from the
match was that my grandfather had built Leeds up in my mind to such
greatness that I had to turn around in disbelief and ask "Is that a
goal?" when Man City went 1 up inside a couple of minutes: Leeds
went on to win 2-1. However, my strongest my strongest memories of
Bremner were of sitting next to him in the directors' box at Donny
Rovers on 2 occasions during his first stint as manager, courtesy
of my grandfather being leader of the local council at the time. He
struck me as being v quiet on both occassions though I guess that's
only to be expected of a focussed manager during the game but guess
my fondest memory was to be in his presence as the Rovers beat
Bournemouth to virtually assure promotion from Div 3 in 1981, his
first success of his managerial career.
daniel bremner says: im his grandson daniel john bremner
Simon Sheppard says: It's quite simple. I've watched football
for 37 years now and Billy Bremner was the most complete footballer
I have EVER seen - bar none.
paul waterworth says: I ve only seen king billy on video but can
honestly say he is what football is all about passion heart and
determination long live the king
brian day says: billy was a wonderfull player i liked that man
so much. im a gooner(arsenal) i love bremner and the leeds team of
the 70s they were a great side.the best i seen since spurs of 61.i
love billy he was my hero if i had another team to support its
leeds.
billy donnelly says: does anyone know billys connection to
ireland ? possibly around the belturbet/cavan area
jim rowson says: yes i saw billy play he was the greatest player
ever to wear a leeds shirt.guess he/s turning in his grave right
now. relagted unthinkable if he was here right now r.i.p billy.
forever leeds and bremner fan.
Les Rowley says: I am writing a new book about Billy (official
LUFC book too!) and I was wanting to pick the mind of any readers
and fans. What did people say about Billy? Rod Stewert? Zico?
Geroge Best? Any famous quotes knocking about?
Jimmy McPhail says: I used to live beside him and he used to
kick ball into my garden all the time
Tim Hawkins says: saw billy play .just the best there has been
in his position he was and still is leeds united. as he once said
"team before self everytime"
billy scobbie says: i never seen billy bremner play even though
im related to him hes always drove me on wanting to get better at
football i think he is scotlands greatest ever player.
Javaid Mehar says: This page is full of praise for Billy as a
player and a man and righly so. What would the likes of
Billy,Eddie,Giles,Norman,etc go for nowadays?!! My abiding memory
of Billy after his playing days was when he had been sacked by
Leeds, as he was getting into his car he spoke to the press with so
much dignity and love for the club and without a shadow of
bitterness. What a player and man. RIP Billy. We love you.
Hardeep Bubbra says: I am just 14 and i am still learnin about
billy bremner and my respect for billy bremner is still incresing
every day I learn new things about this considerable talent
Paul Barden says: I was lucky enough to see him play in
Championship winning team of 73-74, the man himself was world
class-THE KING.Videos of the man make my, 10 and 8 year old, boys
appreciate a legend.
rob dowson says: I had the privilege of watching Billy from the
Lowfields Road stand - socks around his ankles he'd cover every
blade of grass, a more committed player you will never see and he
loved the club he always gave 110% A true great!
Todd James says: I never got to see billy play but the videos of
the game i have seen he is an insperation to me and im only at the
age of 14 i wear the number 4 shirt for my local club billy bremner
is a legend
|
