dirtyleeds.net

We’re in the Bookseller magazine, which is some achievement in itself. Here’s the piece. not sure I agree with all the content but what the heck, it’s good publicity.

Dirty Leeds for Tonto Books
24.04.09 Victoria Gallagher

Tonto Books has acquired the rights for Dirty Leeds by Robert Endeacott, a novel based on fact about the secret history of Don Revie, a Leeds manager in the 60’s. Tonto managing director, Stuart Wheatman bought world rights directly from Endeacott himself.

Dirty Leeds tells of Leeds United Football Club through the eyes of Jimmy O’Rourke who dreams of playing football for them. It follows the team from 1961 to 1974 as Leeds attempts to become the best team in Europe. The novel will be published in September this year in paperback priced £7.99.

Wheatman said: “Tonto now has a lot of support in the north-west and Yorkshire, so it seemed very fitting when I had the opportunity to take this title on. Robert is a great writer and counts David Peace as one of his fans. I’m sure the book will appeal far wider than those who remember the bad old days of Dirty Leeds.”

Endeacott is a life-long Leeds fan and has previously authored One Northern Soul and Fanthology (Route) and No More Heroes (Relish).

‘Dirty Leeds’ the book is to be published by a cracking outfit (Tonto Books) and release date is late September. It’s already moving along very quickly even though Stu has had tons of personal work on as it is. I’ve a good feeling about our working arrangment, just like I did with Route a few years ago, and I’m very hopeful the book will do well and that Tonto Books will benefit big time too. Stu deserves it, I’m sure of that.

Talking of Route, it looks good news there too, Ian Daley has said that there is likely to be a re-print of ‘One Northern Soul’ later in the year. It’s Ian and Route who I have to thank for setting me on ths weird career path, 7 or so years ago. It has been more a part-time career path before, but this year I’m going for it. So far so good, but I’m always wary! That might be the Yorkshireness coming out, I’m not sure, but whatever, it’s YOUR round : - )

Next Monday (20th April) is the last meetnig of the SoYouWantToBeAWriter group at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and a couple of Saturdays after there is the Showcase event at the theatre, where all our 3 to 5 minute plays will be performed. There’s 15 in the group so that’s a lot of theatre! I’ve loved every minute of the ‘training’ and the group is a fabulous set of people. The course finishes next week as I say but I would hope to meet, work, collaborate with, and support, them all again.  My own particular play is called Communication Breakdown and is meant to be a comedy.  Blimey, I hope people realise that and actually laugh when it’s on!

The screenplay has for this last week had to take a backseat but having said that, it is always prominent in my mind. I’ve promised Tony my screenwriting ’partner’ over in the US of A that I’ll have a first draft completed by the end of June this year. That target is still very much realistic. I hope anyone reading this doesn’t feel I’m a bit precious about any of the projects I’m working on, but the screenplay industry is notorious for people nicking ideas etc etc so I’ll reveal my idea as and when my esteemed Cockney pal Tony deems it okay!

BRAKES - saw them at the Cockpit on Wednesday, and thought they were ace. And if anyone saw a poor bloke get a pineapple right on the noggin then that was my mate Kev, standing right next to me! He’s bruised but not badly hurt.

LUFC - need a win v Tranmere this Saturday, to virtually confirm our PlayOff position, though a draw might do. If we get to the final, IF, then I think we’ll do it.

Best wishes all, bye for now!

R

I was 43 last week, until Wednesday, and now I’m 44.

I was half blinded on Tuesday after being ‘measured up’ for laser surgery to help correct my long-sightedness.

I heard that my first book might well be re-printed later this year.

I haven’t heard a thing about Dirty Leeds!

LUFC pretty much consolidated the play off spot though going up auto looks very difficult as P’boro keep winning and Leicester I think are too far despite getting the shakes of late.

I went to the Colchester Leeds game on Saturday - very tidy little stadium and a pleasant place in the town centre. Probably a bit of shenannigans between police and LU and CU suporters along the way but we saw none of it and had a great day out. Good to speak to a couple of West Ham fans on the way back at a services, telling us to hurry up and get back to the Prem where ‘we belong’. Told the one chap that he shouldn’t hold his breath, at least not until our chairman runs out of his own!

Screenplay’s going well and I’ve enjoyed the two WYP theatre group sessions so far, the third’s tonight.  All the writers have to create a 3 - 5 minute play which will be performed at the theatre in early May.  Exciting but a bit daunting, even though it is relatively short a task!

44 I am today and I feel so much younger than I did yesterday!

I couldnt have felt much older though, in a way, due to having some eyedrops put in which made me even more like Mr Magoo than normal! I’m hoping to have laser surgery on my eyes in late May (after the important Leeds season y’see!) and so went for my initial consultation yesterday. It’s good fun actually, though the drops do blur your vision for the rest of the day. It’s funny, the surgeon who checked my eyesight never mentioned or even implied that my faltering vision is anything to do with too much self abusing : - )

My prospective publisher has been moving house this week so I’m a bit in the dark at the moment with Dirty Leeds.