A number of Leeds United fans were presented with a special treat at Elland Road this week when they were among the first to get their hands on a limited edition maquette of the planned Don Revie statue.

The fans are all members of The 1972 Club which has been formed as a key part of the fund-raising activities for a statue in tribute to the great Leeds United manager.

Jim Cadman, who was behind a similar project to see former Yorkshire and England cricket great Fred Trueman honoured in similar fashion, is the man behind the Revie Statue project.

Former Revie great Paul Reaney was on hand to make the presentations at Elland Road.

"I would say it's long overdue," he said. "We have a statue for Billy and now, hopefully, we will have one for the gaffer. And what a gaffer he was.

"I think people will support this, I'm looking forward to a dinner that is being organised, and getting all the lads together for the gaffer. He was such a great man, a lovely guy, and we will never forget him."

Reaney and his team-mates from the 1972 FA Cup final success against Arsenal are all honourary members of The 1972 Club, and 60 fans have already pledged their support.

Lifelong fan Gary Edwards was one of The 1972 Club Members to receive his maquette, and his was numbered 12. He said: "I'd heard about this from Jim Cadman and we need to put the word out. It's long overdue, but the fund-raising is up and running now. Everybody can chip in. We have some small events planned and everyone can play a part in it."

Author Rob Endeacott, whose recent offering was titled Disrepute: Revie's England, was another fan to sign up, and he met Paul Reaney for the first time at the launch.

"I've written Dirty Leeds and Disrepute about Mr Revie which I really enjoyed," he said. "It was a lovely day meeting people on Tuesday and it's a great tribute for the club and the city of Leeds. It's often overlooked what Mr Revie did for the city when he took the club over in 1961.

"The British media have never acknowledged his services properly for what he has done and the statue will be a fantastic tribute to him."

Membership of The 1972 Club is limited, and Members receive a host of benefits.

A Don Revie Tribute Magazine is also being planned, for a mid-November launch, and a host of other events, including a gala dinner and play are being lined up for 2011.

For more information on how you can be involved in supporting the Don Revie Statue please visit www.donreviestatue.com.