Clough the Incomparable

By The Spotter

Thirty-five years ago in 1980, unfashionable Nottingham Forest and their genius of a manager, ably assisted by his sidekick Peter Taylor, won football’s European Cup for the second year in a row. Forest beat Hamburger (Hamburg) SV, who had Kevin Keegan in their side, 1-0 with a goal from their powerful Scot out on the left, John Robertson.

The manager’s name was of course Brian Clough. Believe it or not, that second European triumph almost pales in comparison with what ‘Cloughie’ achieved in the early 70s with even more unfashionable Derby County (champions of England twice after he brought them up from the depths of the second division). Plus the amazing feat of winning the League title by seven points over Liverpool with Notts Forest in 77-78, the season straight after promotion from Division 2- with only 24 goals conceded in the former 42-match schedule to boot. Unheard of feats and that which will almost certainly never be seen again in England.

Pretty impossible then to do the man’s stupendous achievements justice in this short description, but have a look at his Wikipedia page if you are not so familiar with his exploits, and prepare to let your jaw drop to the ground.

You will find two YouTube clips. The first is less than seven minutes long, but it’s just fantastic. Especially the bit with Ali. The start is real old school behaviour from Clough (but it obviously got results) and it’s easy to see how he was in the army for a while. The second is basically an hour and if you are mad on football you’ll probably devour every second.

To correspond: Paul: talltree@xtra.co.nz