RIP Mr Clough – 7 Years On

The Football Front’s Senior Writer, Christian Brown writes a warm piece on the legend, Brain Clough.

News that still saddens me to this day. Waking up and watching all the tributes flood in, it’s quite hard to keep a set of dry eyes. I remember being in a car with my dad when we heard the news; he had to stop the car due to how shocked and distraught he was. Fierce rivals united as one, for a day at least. For on this day, the 20^th September, 7 years ago a true legend passed away at the age of 69. A footballing genius who took two clubs going nowhere into English and European powerhouses respectively. That man was Brian Clough.

Starting his football career off as a player, he played for hometown team Middlesbrough and scored 197 goals in 213 games for them, before switching to Sunderland. He then got 54 in 61 for them, before injury stopped his playing days at the tender age of 27. He attempted to make a comeback, but lasted 3 games before quitting for good. A little known fact it seems, Brian Clough was the first player to score 250 league goals in England – faster than Jimmy Greaves. He also represented his country twice.

His managerial career started with Hartlepools United (now Hartlepool), a spell which saw him name Peter Taylor as assistant manager. At 30, Clough was the youngest manager in the league. Clough was there for 2 years, before going to the East Midlands to join Derby County, taking Taylor with him. Before his arrival, the Rams had been out the top flight for 5 years. During his 6 year tenure however, Derby won the league and went to the semi finals of the European Cup, before being cheated by a bought referee against Juventus.

However, a fractious relationship with the board – notably with chairman Sam Longson - saw Clough and Taylor both resign in 1973. They may have won the league again in 1975 under Dave Mackay, but Derby fans still regard accepting their resignations as the worst decision the club has ever made. Since that title win, Derby haven’t done anything of note, apart from finish as the worst team in Premier League history with 11 points. They’ve just been sitting in the second division mounting the odd promotion campaign, a far cry from the days in the early 70’s.

Next for Clough, was Brighton. Taking Taylor with him, they didn’t set the country alight like they had done at Derby, and within a year Clough had left – to take over Leeds United. A move which shocked the whole footballing world, as Clough had repeatedly attacked Leeds’ style and then manager Don Revie, whilst Revie himself had told the board to appoint Leeds midfielder Johnny Giles as his successor. Taylor didn’t follow this time, so Clough was on his own. The pairing was a disaster, as it would appear that Clough changed things far too quickly.

The right idea was there, that Leeds ‘machine’ was at an end and parts needed to be changed in order for it to carry on. People like Bremner were getting old and needed replacing. There was also the style, which – under the previous management - was robust to say the least. The players didn’t take to him before, so when he turned up and said “you can throw all your medals into a bin cos you’ve won them all by bloody cheating”, they were hardly behind him. It led to the clubs worst start in 15 years, and after 44 days and a massive pay off, Clough was out the door.

Then, on the 6^th January 1975, Clough found his perfect managerial bride. For the people who say Christmas has two dates, the 25^th of December and the 6^th of January – what a Christmas present he was for that club. A club who were 13^th in Division 2 at the time of the takeover, a club who although had won the FA Cup 16 years prior and finished 2^nd in the top league 8 years ago, were seemingly going nowhere and doing nothing. A club left to rot in the second division, much like Derby before he took over. That club, was Derby’s East Midlands rivals, Nottingham Forest.

I will be brief. In May 1975, Forest finished the season 16^th in the Second Division. 5 years later in May 1980, Forest had just retained the European Cup in Madrid. They had gone from finishing runners up behind Wolves in the Second Division, to winning the European Cup back to back, with a League title along the way. Clough also won the League Cup 4 times with Forest in his 18 year reign (twice with Taylor, twice without), the European Super Cup, a Charity Shield victory, a semi final in the UEFA Cup before being cheated by a bought ref – again, and an FA Cup Final, which they lost 2-1. The FA Cup was the only honour that eluded Clough.

In May 1993, Clough retired following Forest’s relegation from the Premier League. That club will never see success on that scale ever again, as they – like Derby – find themselves plodding along in the Second Division, having found themselves in footballing purgatory (third division) for 3 years. They’ve been out the top flight for 12 years now. Brian Clough retired as the greatest British manager of all time. Say what you like about Ferguson, but without the millions at his disposal, would he have done what Clough did at Forest and Derby?

Ferguson hasn’t touched people like Clough did either. The amount Clough gave to charity and other people is phenomenal. His arrogance and brashness have planted many a smile on our faces, and you don’t see Ferguson helping out the common people when they’re on strike. Clough touched the people of Nottingham to the point where they funded the £70,000 statue of him in Nottingham City Centre. It amazes me how Brian was never given the England job. Everyone was calling for it to happen, but The FA – as usual – showed no backbone and appointed Ron Greenwood. Forest then went on to win 2 European Cups.

Call it fate, call it a coincidence, call it what you will – 3 days ago (17/11/11) Derby beat Forest at The City Ground to regain The Brian Clough Cup; a cup contested to honour Brian’s achievements. Brian’s son Nigel is currently managing at the first team Brian won success with as a manager. Today, on Brian’s anniversary, Forest host Newcastle United. The same Newcastle that Middlesbrough and Sunderland both hate – the teams Brian played for. If Forest win tonight, you can’t help but think the master manager is behind it all, sitting in God’s favourite chair with a huge grin on his face.

Here are some quotes from the great man:

“If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he’d have put the grass up there”

“Football hooligans? Well there are 92 club chairmen for a start”

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. But I wasn’t on that particular job”

“Players lose you games, not tactics. There’s so much crap talked about tactics by people who barely know how to win at dominoes”

(“What if a player comes to you asking to change something?”) “Well, we talk about it for twenty minutes, and then decide I was right”

“I’m sure the England selectors thought if they took me on and gave me the job, I’d want to run the show. They were shrewd, because that’s exactly what I would have done”

“If a chairman sacks a manager he initially appointed, he should go as well”

“I wouldn’t say I was the best in the business. But I’m in the top one”

A hero to the common man, and the best manager England never had. RIP ‘Sir’ Brian Clough

This piece was written by Christian Brown, you can follow him on his Twitter - @Chris78901, Chris also writes for The Sports Pallet too. All of Chris' work is on his blog, 1-chris78901.

Christian Brown’s npower Championship 2011/12 Preview - Part Two

The Football Front’s Christian Brown in a three feature takes a look at the chances of the team’s in the npower Championship.

This is part two of the npower Championship preview – Part one can be found here.

Crystal Palace – 2010/11 finish: 20^th

Last season started with so much optimism for Palace; George Burley started the season in charge, Nathaniel Clyne was still there and even Edgar Davids signed at one point. But, it came so close to tears as Palace very nearly went down. Under the guidance of former player Dougie Freedman they won’t be going down this season. Key additions such as Glenn Murray and Jonathan Parr will improve the team. Whilst retaining crucial players like Julian Speroni will ensure relegation doesn’t’ happen. It’s clear the club do not have enough to challenge for promotion, following their financial crisis suffered and the relegation battle last year. But most Palace fans will happily settle for a mid-table place - which is exactly what they should achieve. Position – 16^th

Derby County – 2010/11 finish: 19^th

After the complete write off last season, this summer started with so much hope. New signings were ade, money was actually spent by Mr Clough. But then pre-season started. Draws against Morecambe and Macclesfield occurred, before embarrassingly losing to Matlock Town, and then 2-1 against Crewe with arguably The Rams’ best team out and being a goal up. Clough’s dilly dallying in the window has caused targets to move elsewhere or stay put, and when the owner is saying how “Derby will finish top 6”, you do fear for Clough’s job security. Average additions to an already average squad will not get Derby to the top 6, so after this season it will be goodbye and farewell to Mr Nigel Clough. Position – 19^th

Doncaster Rovers – 2010/11 finish: 21^st

In terms of injuries, no-one in arguably the whole of the Football League had it as bad as Doncaster Rovers. How they survived last season was an absolute miracle. Speculation over Sean O’Driscoll’s job was unfairly increasing, but as John Ryan said – “we will never have an injury crisis this bad ever again in the history of the club.” Keeping hold of players like Billy Sharp and James Coppinger have been crucial, whilst also acquiring the services of Tommy Spurr from rivals Sheffield Wednesday, will tighten things up at the back. In terms of league position, their team is in no state to challenge, but they will stay up rather comfortably. Position – 17^th

Hull City – 2010/11 finish: 11^th

Hull City will be a very strange tiger this season. At one point last season they were in the hunt for the 6^th play off place, but Middlesbrough put an end to that with a 4-1 thumping at The KC Stadium. However, from all the signings they’ve currently brought in during the close season, only Jack Hobbs and Adriano Basso would seem players that could maybe piece together a play off charge. Paul McKenna and Dele Adebola are experienced yes, but a combined age of 69? No-one knows what to expect from this Hull team, which could well work in their favour. With a strong squad already in place though, this should be another productive season. Position – 10^th

Ipswich Town – 2010/11 finish: 13^th

After so much expectation last year, it was perhaps inevitable Ipswich were going to fail. This season there is more expectation, but with good reason. With Paul Jewell at the helm and with five quality additions brought into the club (Michael Chorpra, David Stockdale, Lee Bowyer, Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Nathan Ellington), this could well be the season Ipswich achieve the targets set by the club’s hierarchy and the impatient fans. The players already in the squad are hardly from the footballing scrapheap, so with the new men in place they’ll definitely be good enough to mount a charge, and that is exactly what they’ll do. Position – 4^th

Leeds United – 2010/11 finish: 7^th

What is going on at Leeds? First they lose both holding midfielders Bradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny on frees, then they force their goalkeeper out before bringing in a sub standard replacement in comparison to Schmeichel, and then to top it off, 2 of their best strikers get injured (Becchio and Somma)! With Premier League eyes keenly fixed on both Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass, if Leeds aren’t careful, they could be back where they came from. Losing Schmeichel is a monumental blow, as he won the club so many points on his own last. New keeper, Longeran will not do the same. Position – 13^th

Leicester City – 2010/11 finish: 10^th

The Foxes aren’t high up on every other Championship club’s Christmas card list at this current moment in time. Last season, they got a load of Premier League loans in. This season they’ve bought a whole new team, spending ludicrous fees and paying out ridiculous wages in the process. For example; Matt Mills cost them £5.5 million, and Paul Konchesky is on 40k a week. Unfortunately for football purists, money does talk; and talks a lot in this league. Leicester will get promoted, especially so under Sven’s guidance – but they still don’t have the required strength to win the league outright. A lot of people will be hoping Leicester fall flat, but you can’t see it. Position – 2^nd

Middlesbrough – 2010/11 finish: 12^th

Last season, Middlesbrough were expected to walk the league. Kris Boyd signed, and he was expected to score 20+ and help steer Boro back to the top flight. None of this happened, and they even had a patch where they were looking over their shoulders constantly, as they were fighting against the relegation trapdoor. Tony Mowbray then came in, and a storming finale ensured they finished a respectable 12^th. They should have been allowed to build on this finish, but financial problems have meant that they have to sell, rather than buy. Mowbray will have to work wonders to get a top 6 finish, and that just won’t happen. Position – 11^th

Part One is available here

The final and third part will be available on Wednesday 3rd August

This piece was written by Christian Brown, you can follow him on his Twitter - @Chris78901, Chris also writes for The Sports Pallet too. All of Chris' work is on his blog, 1-chris78901.

Things you may like to read

Christian Brown’s nPower Championship Review 2011/2012 – Part One

The Championship. Is it more competitive than ever before?

Matt Bruce’s npower League Two 2011/12 Review – Part One