Sean’s Forest family
SEAN DYCHE has been fraternising with the enemy this week.
The Everton boss took time out from preparing his team for the crunch clash at Nottingham Forest to spend an afternoon with some of the players who once helped Brian Clough win championships and European Cups at the City Ground.
Dyche (right) came through the ranks at Forest under Clough before deciding that playing regularly for clubs like Chesterfield,
Bristol City, Luton, Millwall, Watford and Northampton was better than being stuck in the reserves.
He made friends for life in Nottingham and when Dyche was sacked by Burnley last April he became a member of the so-called “Thursday Club” formed by former Forest players to retain old bonds.
Frank Clark, John Robertson, John O’Hare, Colin Barrett, Garry Birtles and Paul Hart are among those who regularly attend the gatherings. Dyche admits their support has been invaluable.
He said: “I got an invitation when I left Burnley and as an out-of-work manager it was great value listening to these legends sharing their stories over a cup of coffee or half-a-shandy and a sandwich.
“They are proper football people. Yes, they may have played in a bygone era but they all have sharp minds and offer valuable insights into the game. They don’t say to me, ‘Look, as manager of Everton you should be doing this’.
“But you might be questioning yourself and one of them will give you little pointers and guidance.
“You ask an opinion and you get the truth. There’s no messing about – that’s absolutely fine by me.
“Some things in football are fundamental and will never change, and it’s healthy to be reminded of that sometimes.”