Robert Endeacott

Robert Endeacott (born 1 April 1965) is an English author, possibly best known for his books AbOUT his city's football team Leeds United and associated stories of avid supporters and disaffected young men.

Early years

Robert Endeacott was born in 1965 in Leeds. He attended Cross Flatts Park Infants School and then Middle School, leaving for Matthew Murray High School in 1978. As a mature student he studied Screenwriting MA at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Writing Career

J R Endeacott is the author of One Northern Soul a semi-autobiographical tale of a young man growing up in Leeds in the 70s and early 80s as his beloved Leeds United, like the city itself, struggle to regain their former glory. Next came the sequel of sorts, No More Heroes, and then the non-fiction title Fanthology (with Graeme Garvey). In 2009, via Tonto Books, his most acclaimed and successful title was released: Dirty Leeds. The title, used ironically, refers to the tag inadvertently given to Leeds United in 1964, by the Football Association. The novel features the fictional character Jimmy O'Rourke and weaves in actual stories occurring within the history of Leeds under the management of Don Revie OBE from 1961 to 1974. The sequel, Disrepute - Revie's England, tells of Revie's three torrid years as England manager, from the perspective of Jimmy O'Rourke again. The book contains various previously unpublished and exclusive dossiers and player analyses as compiled by Revie and his assistant Les Cocker. August 2012 saw the release of 'After Extra Time (Dirty Leeds Uncut)', described as 'the director's cut' of 'Dirty Leeds' and now containing 47,000 more words which had previously been edited out of the original text. More controversy, more allegations (against Revie's Leeds) and more personal material on Revie and the fictitious Jimmy O'Rourke especially. Endeacott also arranged to donate 10% of print copy sales price to the Candlelighters cause, Yorkshire's pre-eminent children's cancer charity.

Works in ProgresS

Endeacott's third and final novel of 'The Dirty Leeds Trilogy' was completed by autumn 2011. 'Scandal FC' continues the mix of fact and fiction about Leeds United and Jimmy O'Rourke, this time taking place in the embarrassing years of the 21st century. Scandal FC is awaiting publication with Tonto Books. A man seemingly of many IDeaS, some of which actually get produced, Endeacott has been working on a unofficial biography/diary of his favourite band The Stranglers. The UK recession however, combined with certain business constraints and a deeply troubled family life in 2011 have caused the Stranglers book (provisionally titled Peaches) to apparently drop down the list of his priorities. Endeacott does confirm he is still working on the book. On the screenwriting front, although having nothing produced so far, he is known to have co-written (with Tony White) a biopic on William Heath Robinson and there are reports he will be working on a feature film based on a 'landmark institution' of the city of Leeds, early 2012.

Endeacott also appeared on Series 19 of Countdown.

Bibliography