DREAD ’N’ CHEESE FOR CLOUGH KINGS

TALES of Cloughie and European Cup triumphs have been replaced by relegation anxiety for the Nottingham Forest old boys’ Thursday lunch club.

Fearing that Forest’s stay in the Premier League, following a 23-year absence, could be short-lived is definitely on the menu when icons of the past, including Frank Clark, John Robertson, John O’hare and Colin Barrett, meet in a restaurant close to the City Ground.

Clark (above) explained: “We meet in a cafe around half a mile from the Forest ground more or less every week on a Thursday. It’s a floating number. For instance John Robertson wasn’t there last week because he’s on holiday.

“We have a nice lunch with a few glasses of wine. Yes, all our yesterdays get a mention, but the conversation recently has been dominated by whether we are going to stay up or not.

“To be honest, we’re all worried that we could be relegated.

“We knew it was going to be a tough season from the off, especially having signed so many players. Steve Cooper had enough on his plate negotiating the Premier League without dealing with 30 new players.”

It was no surprise to these Forest legends – who, under Brian Clough, won two European Cups in addition to being crowned league champions – that it took time for the team to gel.

Under owner Evangelos Marinakis (below), it had appeared – after six defeats in the first eight games – that Cooper’s skills that got the side into the Premier League would not translate to the top tier. Clark recalled: “There was talk of the owner getting rid of Steve, but he handed him a new contract which amazed everyone.

“I can understand the fresh speculation over his job because everybody else in the relegation zone is sacking their manager. It’s not stretching a point to suggest that Steve will be next.

“But I’d want him to stay, as I like Steve. The crowd are with him, which is really important, and I would be disappointed if he left.”