EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Forty years have passed, but Colin Barrett describes his goal past Liverpool in the European Cup as if still on the pitch. Volleying in with three minutes left for Nottingham Forest’s, Barrett gave his side an unexpected 2-0 advantage over the holders and ushered Brian Clough along the path to greatness.

‘It breaks down on the halfway line, I block one through pass, then another,’ he says. ‘It goes to Garry Birtles down the left and I start to gallop forwards. Martin o’Neill, who is a substitute, tells me afterwards that Clough is going absolutely ape-s***. “Where is that f***ing Barrett going? Get back!” Birtles crosses it, tony Woodcock heads down, and I smack it in. Clough punches the air, “oh great goal son!”

Forest’s magical story has been often told but Barrett’s personal tale less so. that is partly because 10 days after the most treasured moment of his career came a tackle that ultimately ended it. Cruelly, Barrett