Archive News 2023
A Clough Kiss
Legendary sports broadcaster Gary Newbon has recalled the moment Cloughie kissed him on the cheek on live TV. The encounter happened when Newbon interviewed Brian straight after a heavy defeat against Everton. Newbon recalls the moment in the latest Green Jumper pod.
"Brian had agreed to give me an interview no matter what happened in the match - win, lose or draw," says Gary. "He stood by his word, even though they lost 4-0. I was getting told by colleagues to wrap the interview up because of the tight deadline. Brian helped me by giving me a kiss on the cheek and then walking off."
Gary's new book, looking back at his career spanning 50 years, is out now. Here's the full podcast...
The Lost Tapes
A new book lifts the lid on a rare collection of recordings and interviews. 'Brian Clough The Lost Tapes' is written by best-selling Cloughie author Marcus Alton. It opens a treasure trove of brilliant Clough stories and quotes, many in print for the first time.
Part of the proceeds will help the types of good causes that Cloughie supported. It's Marcus' fifth book about Brian Clough - the previous four have all been Amazon best-sellers. "This has been another labour of love," says Marcus, "And I think it's the best yet."
Marcus has been interviewed about the book by Notts TV and the Retro Football Podcast, whose host Gary Cook said: "I really enjoyed the book. There are some excellent and new stories. You can never have enough Brian Clough stories."
Signed copies are available by ordering from our Clough Shop. Marcus can sign them with a personal message. He is pictured, below, with Notts TV presenter Al Booth. You can also read more about the book HERE.
"The Brian Clough Way"
Brian Rice says he will never forget Cloughie's unique management style. After Rice made his surprise debut at Anfield in September 1985, Clough gave the team four days off. He told them not to report for duty until their next match, away at Leicester City.
"I thought it was strange. In Scotland we did a lot of physical work in training. But here we had four days off. The lads said, 'Don't say anything, just turn-up on Sunday.'" Forest beat Leicester 3-0, with Rice on the scoresheet.
"He had his own unique way - the Brian Clough way - and it worked," Rice tells pod host Marcus Alton. It's one of many great Cloughie stories the former Scottish international recalls in this entertaining episode.
BRIAN'S BONUS
Former Scottish international Brian Rice has recalled Cloughie's unusual matchday bonus offered to his players before a Wembley final. When Stuart Pearce asked Clough what the financial incentive would be for the Simod Cup Final against Everton, the Miracle Manager replied: "Ten pounds and a box of chocolates."
"We (the players) just laughed when he said that," recalls Rice in the latest Green Jumper pod. "Then he said, 'And if you lose, you give me ten pounds and a box of chocolates.'" Needless to say, that's exactly what the players received after their cup final victory.
"It was crazy," says Rice. "But you just took it, because we were well looked after." You can hear more of Rice's wonderful Cloughie memories in this trailer for the forthcoming pod...
MURAL MAGIC
Brian Clough is featured in a giant mural created in Nottingham. The image was unveiled in October 2023 and depicts Cloughie alongside the former Notts County boss Jimmy Sirrel. Read more - and see the mural - HERE.
Dad's Influence
Nigel Clough says he still thinks of his dad's 'principles' as he continues his own successful managerial career. Having taken Mansfield Town to the last 16 of the League Cup - a trophy Brian became very familiar with - and edging closer to his dad's 1,453 matches as a manager, Nigel spoke to ITV's Dan Salisbury-Jones (October 2023).
Dan asked whether, despite having proven himself in his own right, there was ever a moment in which Nigel felt free of his father's influence.
"I don't think I'll ever be free of it now," replied the Stags boss. "It lessons a little bit but the memories are all still there and the principles are still there as well.
"The principles that he put in place don't change. You're still looking for the discipline on the football pitch and you're still looking for standards and certain things for the players, that sort of thing. How you go about imposing that, that's probably changed, but not the standards themselves."
You can see Dan's interview with Nigel HERE.
Archie's Story
Former Derby County and Nottingham Forest midfielder Archie Gemmill says he would often have to defend himself at half-time when Cloughie picked apart his performance. During his early days at Derby, Gemmill was a particular target for Clough's criticism. He told the latest Green Jumper podcast:
"I was told I was useless, and why had they bought me? A lot of it was unfair, but he told me it was to help me become a better player. I used to say my piece. Something like, 'What match were you watching?'"
In this fascinating chat with pod host Marcus Alton, Gemmill talks about a range of subjects, including signing for Brian, being told he was left out of the 1979 European Cup Final side and working with Cloughie as part of his coaching staff. There's also humour, as Gemmill recalls a Shoot! magazine article from 1980.
Gemmill describes Clough as a terrific manager and a wonderful person. "He made average players become special," he says. Here's the full episode...
'Blondie' Sings Praises
Former Nottingham Forest striker Paul McGregor has spoken about how grateful he is to Cloughie for helping his career. And he's revealed how his former team-mates used to tease him that he was Brian's son!
Speaking on a BBC podcast, McGregor recalls how he was given his first team opportunity towards the end of Clough's magnificent 18-year reign at the City Ground.
"I was in school one minute with my boss as the headmaster and then three months later, Clough would be like 'son, run yourself a bath, then run me one!" said McGregor. "He'd call me 'Blondie' and the other lads would give me stick and say, 'your dad's here!'
"I'd run a warm bath for me and a cold one for him on the other side of the room - that's how he liked it - and then we'd sit and have a chat in the bath. Brilliant!"
McGregor explained that times were different back then and he appreciated the investment Clough put in to his young striker. "He was interested in our lives and he was getting to know more about his centre-forward," added McGregor.
"He was wondering, 'What's the lad got? Is he a good kid? Is he family oriented? Is he settling down?' That was probably what was going through his head."
Clough had previously spoken of his pride at seeing young, talented players coming through the Forest ranks. He built several new successful sides even without Peter Taylor, with many more trophy wins.
Cloughie Kiss
Former England defender Viv Anderson has described a memorable 'Cloughie kiss' before a match. It's one of the brilliant stories in the 58th episode of the Green Jumper pod. Viv also recalls breaking a Clough curfew after winning the European Cup.
"Mr Clough said we had to stay in, but about six of us decided to go out," says Viv. "We thought 'we're not staying in the hotel, we've just won the European Cup! I have a vivid memory of John Robertson getting to the door and waving us off - he said he couldn't risk it because of what the manager said."
Viv also talks about the documenary film 'Local Heroes' which tells the inspiring story of how three Nottingham lads came from humble beginnings to beat the odds and reach the pinnacle of club football under Brian Clough's magical management.
He joins former Forest team-mates Tony Woodcock and Garry Birtles in telling their personal stories as part of a nostalgic journey through Clough's European glory years. "I watched the Champions League Final the other day and you'd struggle to find three players from the same country, never mind the same city," says Viv. "It's a unique story."
'Local Heroes' is available on DVD, blu-ray and digital. Here's the trailer...
BARRETT'S TRIBUTE
European Cup hero Colin Barrett has described Cloughie's memorable response when the defender asked for a pay rise. Barrett told the Green Jumper podcast (May 2023) that he went into Clough's office to talk about an increase in salary.
"He threw a copy of the Nottingham Evening Post at me and said 'Stick that in your shoes - that'll raise you off the ground a bit!" Barrett - who scored a vital goal in the European Cup against Liverpool - said he did eventually agree a new pay deal.
"There's no other person I wanted to walk through the door at a quarter to three than Brian Clough," said Barrett. "We knew we were ready. He kept the game simple. They were special times."
CLOUGHIE'S FAREWELL
"I can't believe how good they've been to me." Those were Brian Clough's words as he was asked about the fans who were wishing him well on his retirement, 30 years ago (May 1993). There were emotional scenes as supporters sang his name at his final home league match.
Although Cloughie's Nottingham Forest were relegated in the 2-0 defeat by Sheffield United (1st May 1993), the fans wanted to show their love and admiration for the man who had brought unprecedented success to their club. Even the United supporters sang his name.
You can hear memories of that emotional time, in this bonus edition of the Green Jumper pod...
HEADLINE NEWS
"Brian Clough was the master of mind games, long before Alex Ferguson. You never knew what to expect." Former TV sports reporter Dennis Coath is the guest on the latest Green Jumper pod - where he recalls his many encounters with Brian Clough.
From his first nervous meeting with Cloughie ("Yes, I was nervous, he was a legend!") to their final emotional chat ("I was on the verge of tears"), Dennis remembers special times in the company of the Miracle Manager (pod published March 2023).
The latest stats show the Green Jumper pod now has thousands of listeners in SEVENTY countries - demonstrating the worldwide appeal of Old Big 'Ead. The latest country added to the list is Mauritius. Thanks to all our loyal listeners and great guests!
MOTTY MEMORIES
The former BBC Match of the Day commentator, John Motson, said Cloughie was his most memorable interviewee. There've been many tributes to 'Motty' following the sad news of his passing (February 2023) at the age of 77.
In a special report to mark 35 years behind the microphone, he told the Daily Mail in October 2006 that the Master Manager had been very kind to him.
"The most compelling to interview was Cloughie," said Motson. Clough fans will always remember Motty fondly. The editor of this website, Marcus Alton, said: "Motty's voice will always be associated with football. He'll be very much missed.
"He was extremely kind behind the scenes too. When I wrote to him for the fund-raising campaign for Nottingham's Clough statue, he donated a signed DVD, which helped to raise money as a prize at our fund-raising dinner.
There are more Motty memories, along with his comments about Cloughie, HERE.
ROBBO'S PRIDE
European Cup legend John Robertson says he's not jealous of today's multi-millionaire footballers. Speaking exclusively on the Green Jumper pod, Robbo says he was proud to play for Brian Clough - a man he describes as "a genius, without a shadow of doubt."
Robertson set-up the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup Final and scored the only goal in the final a year later. During Nottingham Forest's First Division title-winning season he'd negotiated a pay rise - which saw him paid £125 a week.
Robbo told pod host Marcus Alton: "I wouldn't swap what happened in my day to what happens now. I'm not jealous. I'm glad I made a career. I wouldn't swap any of it. For instance, I wouldn't swap my European Cup medal for a hundred-grand a week.
"For a man of Brian Clough's stature and reputation in the game to think I was a good player was really, really great." You can hear the full pod HERE.
FORGET FERGIE
Former Nottingham Forest striker Nigel Jemson has described how he turned down Alex Ferguson and signed for Brian Clough instead. Jemson was just 18 when Manchester United agreed a deal with Preston in 1988 and he was invited to attend two days' training to be assessed by Ferguson before the move was finalised.
Jemson told The Times (January 2023) how his manager at Preston had persuaded him to go, even though the teenager - who supported Liverpool as a boy - had a strong hatred for Fergie's side. "I felt like a fish out of water there with so many big players, and I just knew I didn't want to sign for them," says Jemson.
After his first day at United, Cloughie phoned him and he didn't turn-up for the second day's training. Accompanied by his parents, he went to Nottingham the next morning and a deal was agreed while Jemson walked Brian's dog.
"Meeting Brian Clough for the first time was something I had dreamt of," adds Jemson, who scored the winning goal for Forest in the 1990 League Cup Final. "He was a genius. As a young player he liked to keep your feet on the ground...if you stepped out of line you knew about it."
FOOTBALL FORTUNES
A friend of Cloughie has told our Green Jumper podcast that Brian would be delighted with Steve Cooper's progress at Nottingham Forest. Cooper has taken the Reds from the bottom of the Championship and into the Premier League. On top of that, Cooper has managed to steer Forest away from the foot of the table (January 2023).
"Brian would be really pleased with what Steve Cooper is doing at Forest," says Colin Shields, who was one of the few people - besides the players - who Cloughie allowed to travel on the team coach. "I think he would have to admit that Cooper is doing a better job than he did in the Premier League."
Forest were relegated from the Premier League after its first season in 1993, when Cloughie also retired after a trophy-laden 18 years at the City Ground. "I'll never understand why we were relegated - the team played well but had such a run of bad luck," says Colin, who talks about his hopes for the future.
The podcast also takes a look at the original groundbreaking game, Brian Clough's Football Fortunes, and what happened when the Miracle Manager became involved in its launch at Wembley Stadium.