Archive News 2022
Martin's Memories
European Cup legend Martin O'Neill says he'll never forget the impact of Cloughie's team-talks. "Brian Clough could have been talking about dog walking in his team-talk and it would be interesting, that's the point," says O'Neill. "It's how he said the message to you as much as anything else. It was still simple, very simple."
In an exclusive interview for the Green Jumper podcast O'Neill talks candidly about his days with Cloughie at Nottingham Forest, as well as his managerial partnerships with fellow Clough legends John Robertson and Roy Keane. You can also read our review of Martin's book 'On Days Like These - My Life in Football.'
Statue Selfies
We're celebrating the 14th anniversary of the Clough statue in Nottingham by taking a look at some of the great selfies taken with the sculpture. The statue was unveiled by Barbara Clough on 6th November 2008 and you can read more about that day HERE. Thanks to all the visitors from around the world who've taken selfies over the years...
Alchemy Book
Author Chris Hull says the story of Clough's first managerial job gives a fascinating insight into his remarkable talents as a football boss. Chris is the guest in the Green Jumper pod (November 2022) and describes some of the huge challenges Brian faced at Hartlepools - and how he lifted the club to heights it had never enjoyed before.
Legends Night
Memories of a Cloughie Legends Night are recalled by Nottingham Forest's matchday announcer Mark Dennison in the Green Jumper pod (October 2022). "I've been looking back at the photos and we all looked so young," says Mark reflecting on the event held in 2005. "Nigel Jemson looks about ten!"
The special evening at the City Ground helped to raise money for Nottingham's Clough statue. Alongside the pod, you can read more about that event HERE.
Bus Driver
A new Clough book describes how the Master Manager had lessons to drive the team coach after a near-miss with two oil tankers on the way to a match. Brian was photographed at the wheel of the Hartlepools United bus in a great publicity stunt which also highlighted the club's lack of resources when he became boss.
In 'Alchemy' - the story of Clough's first managerial job - Chris Hull documents how one player stormed down the coach's steps and refused to re-board until he'd calmed down after a near-miss. The coach driver sped through a red light and narrowly avoided colliding with two oil tankers on the outskirts of Nottingham.
"The real reason for seeking the (Public Service Vehicle) licence was that he (Clough) and the players were perturbed about the coach firm sending them 'a series of kamikaze drivers'," writes Hull. In the end the coach firm sent them a more level-headed driver and the manager forgot about obtaining the licence.
'Alchemy' is published by The History Press. RRP £20.00 (hardback). Read our review.
Locked In
Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown has revealed how Brian Clough locked him in his office during negotiations to try to sign him.
"He locked me in his office for three hours. It was a surreal experience but a real honour to meet him," Keown told BBC Football Focus (September 2022). "I was due to get married at the end of that week and he sent my wife-to-be flowers with a beautiful vase and the Forest crest on it."
But when Keown phoned later to say he wasn't signing for Nottingham Forest, Clough demanded the gifts be returned. Keown admitted he kept the vase which still sits proudly in his house. "It was difficult to say 'No' to Sir Brian," he said. "I call him Sir Brian because I feel he was an absolute legend."
Soldier's Story
A former soldier who was badly hurt in a bomb attack in Northern Ireland still treasures a 'Get Well' message from Brian Clough who cheekily told him to 'Get up off your backside'. Billy Lundy from Nottingham was serving with the Grenadier Guards when the blast happened in 1979.
In the Green Jumper podcast, Billy tells host Marcus Alton how the letter came about - and Cloughie's offer of a seat at the City Ground when he was well again. He also pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, following the sad news in September 2022. You can hear the podcast, below.
You're The Top
A former Fleet Street journalist has revealed how the young Brian Clough he first met with the England squad in 1959 was nothing like the legendary figure he became. "He was a quiet guy who wanted to take a back seat because he felt over-awed by the likes of Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Charlton, two players he idolised," says Norman Giller in the Green Jumper Podcast (August 2022).
Norman also describes how Brian was the first to phone Greavsie when he began his media career and offered an interview 'for nowt' as Cloughie described it. The conversation was recorded by Norman who travelled to Nottingham with Jimmy.
"I was very lucky," says Norman. "I would have paid to be the man who was taping it on that day. It was almost a competition between the two of them of who could get the first word in - and of course Cloughie won that."
Norman tells pod host Marcus Alton about the surprise presentation Clough made to his friend, the commentator Brian Moore - bursting into song to celebrate Moore's long career with ITV (you'll hear how the episode got its title). The trailer is below, while the full episode is on the Podcast Page.
We Decide I Was Right
It seems hard to believe, but it was 50 years ago (August 1972) that Brian Clough produced one of his all-time classic quotes. When asked in an interview how he reacts when a player tells him he's doing something wrong, Clough is confident and assured as he responds:
"We talk about it for twenty minutes, then we decide I was right." The quote has become legendary and is one of the comments engraved around the plinth of the Brian Clough statue in Nottingham. You'll also find it among our collection of classic quotes HERE.
For posterity, here is the original recording (with question and answer in full). Listen out for the chuckle from the interviewer at the end...
On Me Web, Son
August 2022 marks the twenty-second anniversary of this tribute website. It was launched on 8th August 2000 by Marcus Alton, who had learned website code from a book in order to get the site on the emerging world wide web.
Since then, Marcus has written several books about Cloughie, and also used the site as the base for the fund-raising campaign for the statue of Cloughie which now stands proudly in Nottingham city centre.
Marcus has also spoken at a number of book festivals and now hosts the popular Green Jumper podcast which has listeners in more than 60 countries. You can take a trip back to the launch in August 2000 HERE.
Stone's Story
Former Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Steve Stone has recalled the sadness surrounding Cloughie's final league game and retirement. Stone was in the dressing room following the 2-1 defeat at Ipswich, closing the Reds' disappointing relegation season in May 1993.
“I still remember the absolute hush, the quietness of the away dressing room at Ipswich when it was all over,” said Stone in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mirror (August 2022). “We all felt the sadness. It was such a shame for someone who had brought so much happiness to people's lives to go out like that. But since then I've learned that in football, with few exceptions, you don't get to choose the manner of your exit.
“Normally you are a hostage to the moment your body breaks down, or your team is not good enough. It's a fact that more careers end on a low note than glory. It was a poignant farewell, but the team was in massive trouble and he was probably ready to go. He'd had enough of the pressures of football and he deserved a break.”
The Mirror reported: "Stone had already demonstrated the resilience of youth, recovering from three broken legs to score the winner at Middlesbrough on his Forest debut earlier that season. Clough, always a demanding taskmaster but a master of pastoral care, had sustained the injured Geordie prodigy with one-year contracts as he recovered from each set-back."
Stone was speaking as Forest returned to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years. "At some clubs, you walk in the door and you can feel the history. You can taste it,” he said. “For me, it's English football's loss that it took them so long to make it back because it's a proper football club." Stone added: "Nottingham Forest will always be a special club close to my heart.”
Clough Stories
There are more great Cloughie stories in the latest Green Jumper podcast: Clough Stories 3 (August 2022). The guest is author John Brindley, who has interviewed many of the legendary Cloughie players - as well as the Great Man himself. You'll hear some classic tales - including memories of John's treasured interview with Old Big 'Ead.
John also recalls stories involving some of the Clough legends like Des Walker, Ian Bowyer, Gary Mills and John Robertson. Plus he chats about how Brian managed the mavericks such as Kenny Burns, Terry Curran and Duncan McKenzie - with Stan Bowles considered to be 'the one who got away'.
That's all you need...
"Brian Clough would have been looking down saying, 'One-nil, clean sheet, that's all you need.'" That was Garry Birtles' verdict following Nottingham Forest's Play Off Final victory at Wembley, securing Premier League status.
This website is supporting the idea of awarding Forest boss Steve Cooper the Freedom of Nottingham. His team plays attractive football in the right way and has proudly represented the city, transforming the club's fortunes in Cloughie style: from the bottom of the league to the Premier League in just 8 months. Here's the e-petition.
Website editor Marcus Alton (who set up the group of fund-raising volunteers for the Clough statue in Nottingham) said: "Steve Cooper has brought the feel good factor to the city, dramatically transforming Forest’s fortunes in Cloughie style: from the bottom of the league to the Premier League - and its international audience.
"The impact - putting Nottm back on the world stage - will be huge, for the economy, sport & civic pride. He has a very special connection with the fans. We have not witnessed such joyous scenes in Nottingham, as seen yesterday, for a long, long time! The Freedom would be a small but fitting way of the city showing its appreciation."
McFARLAND MEMORIES
Surviving players from Brian Clough's 1972 Division One title-winning side have been recalling the special anniversary (May 2022). They gathered at a special event held at Pride Park stadium, as the curtain came down on a season which saw the Rams relegated from the Championship.
Roy McFarland, then club captain, has recalled how he heard about the title win on the radio. Derby had played all their matches and were now reliant on the result of Wolves' home match against Leeds United. McFarland and fellow defender Colin Todd had left their team-mates on an end-of-season holiday in Majorca in order to report for international duty.
The two players listened on a car radio in Derby as Wolves beat Leeds in the final match of the season. "We heard that full-time whistle on the car radio and it was unbelievable," McFarland told the BBC.
Cloughie himself was on a family holiday on the Isles of Scilly. In a call with BBC Radio Derby just moments after the Rams became champions, Brian uttered the famous words: "I don't believe in miracles, but one's occurred tonight."
Alan Hinton was also part of the title-winning side and flew over from Seattle to join the anniversary event in Derby.
You can hear his memories of working with Cloughie in the Green Jumper podcast. The episode is entitled 'White Boots' and there are bonus episodes called 'Card Trick' and 'Police Car'.
NIGEL x 2
Brian's son Nigel has said he'd have liked the opportunity to work with the former Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty. Nigel Clough's comments came in an interview in the April edition of Four Four Two magazine. Now working as the Mansfield Town boss, Nigel was asked if the City Ground hot-seat might be tempting one day in the future.
"You never know," replies Nigel. "But the longer it goes on, the less likely it is to happen. When it came up before, Burton were in the Championship and it just wasn't right. I regret not having the chance to work with Nigel Doughty, as I think what he did for the club over a number of years was quite incredible."
Nigel says if he and Gary Crosby had taken over at Forest while the late Mr Doughty was owner, he would have looked after the money that Mr Doughty had invested and they'd have had a very good chance of success. Reds fans remember that during Nigel Doughty's ownership, David Platt spent ten million pounds without achieving success.
CLOUGH'S KISS
Brian Clough is pictured (below) giving TV presenter Gary Newbon a smacker during filming for a new Central TV series 35 years ago (April 1987). 'Cloughie's Golden Oldies' took a look back at archive matches involving Midlands clubs.
CLOUGH STORIES
A close friend of Brian Clough is a guest on the Green Jumper pod. Colin Shields was one of the few people - besides the players - that Cloughie allowed to travel on the team coach. Colin talks about life with the Miracle Manager, both in and away from the spotlight. Here's the trailer...
BEATING LIVERPOOL
As the rivalry between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool hits the headlines, with the FA Cup quarter final between the two sides (March 2022), a bonus edition of the Green Jumper pod includes memories of Brian Clough's famous victory in the European Cup.
Cloughie recalls how Liverpool boss Bob Paisley was so incensed about not beating Old Big 'Ead's Reds that he slammed the door of the dressing room so hard it nearly came off its hinges. The pod also includes memories from striker Tony Woodcock, who set-up both goals in the 2-0 win in September 1978.
EUROPEAN GLORY
Ex-England striker Tony Woodcock shares some wonderful Cloughie memories in the latest Green Jumper pod. The Miracle Man, who won the European Cup with the Master Manager, recalls how a special piece of advice before a crucial match against Liverpool helped to knock the European champions out of the competition. Here's the trailer....
MAGIC MAVERICK
Former winger Terry Curran has revealed how the Master Manager caught him doing a team-talk Cloughie-style. Terry used to impersonate Brian - and his Nottingham Forest team-mates encouraged him to 'take him off'. But on one occasion, Cloughie caught him.
"He laughed about it," says Terry. "Then he said, 'Hey young man, there's no other manager like me!" Terry has a collection of brilliant Cloughie stories and recalls them in our two-part Green Jumper pod.
NEW YEAR - SAME CLOUGHIE
Stepping back in time - 40 years in fact, to 1982. A new article on the website (January 2022) looks back to early '82, when Cloughie was in fine form with the media, despite a health scare. He joked with reporters after being admitted to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Read the full story: Clough 1982.