Love them or hate them (and frankly they don’t care which), for many the Premier League remains a poorer place without Leeds United.
They were relegated in 2004 and have not been back since but for many followers of the fallen Yorkshire giants, Leeds were the last true champions of England.
Football, of course, existed before the Premier League began and when Leeds won the old First Division in May 1992, the final season before the advent of the new breakaway top flight, it marked a glorious crescendo to the Howard Wilkinson-inspired renaissance at Elland Road.
“Sergeant Wilko”, as he became affectionately known, was appointed as Leeds manager in October 1988 and totally transformed the club’s fortunes.
Leeds got promoted to the top flight in May 1990amid riotous scenes at Bournemouth and won the league title two years later.
Wilkinson’s feat has been recognised by a film and book, both titled Do You Want To Win?, which is now available to watch for Prime Video customers across the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Wilkinson’s plan was actually designed to take effect over 10 years, with the aim of reshaping the whole club: sign the right players, drill into them how to win games, invest in the academy and youth development, get promoted and, eventually, have a team ready to win the title.
The Whites were loitering towards the bottom of the second tier when the new manager arrived from First Division Sheffield Wednesday, possessing a squad short of both quality and character.
Leeds would finish 10th in 1988-89, 32 points behind winners Chelsea – but come the end of the campaign a number of key figures had emerged.
Academy duo David Batty and Gary Speed had formed half of what would become a fearsome midfield; centre-back Chris Fairclough had arrived from Tottenham; and in Gordon Strachan, who was signed from Manchester United after being written off by Alex Ferguson, Wilkinson had the general he required to ensure standards never slipped on the pitch.
The film stars Vinnie Jones, Strachan, Gary McAllister, Howard Wilkinson and more.
Director Lee Hicken says: “Working on this film has been the dream project – telling the story of Leeds United from 1988 to 1992 and their First Division championship win.
“We want to introduce a well-loved story to a new generation in Leeds and the rest of the world.
“We are really proud of Do You Want To Win?, and so excited to share the film with international audiences on Prime Video.
“With the upcoming new season, the timing could not be better; fans will be able to relive the story of the last time Leeds United were promoted from this division and the personalities behind the revolution under Howard Wilkinson.”
He adds: “This is an interesting time for Leeds as a city, with the Channel 4 bid gathering momentum, the city continually developing and the football club under new ownership and management.
“After the success of our first release ‘As Good As It Gets?’ trending on Amazon, we are excited to take another Leeds story to a global audience.”
Focus will now switch to whether the current crop can achieve what Wilkinson managed the best part of three decades ago – promotion to the top flight.
No Leeds manager has done it since "Sergeant Wilko" back in 1990 at a sun-kissed Dean Court in Bournemouth. Moreover, they did it as champions.
What Leeds fans would give for a repeat of that success now.
