CLOUGH EDGINESS LIVES ON
JOHN RICHARDSON
IT IS almost 50 years since Brian Clough’s infamous 44 days as Leeds United manager — but the passage of time has not healed the wounds.
Clough (left) had to swallow his pride and reinvent himself along the River Trent at Nottingham Forest.
A league title, two European Cups and four League Cups later, it appeared being able to walk on the Trent itself would not have been out of the question for Old Big ’Ead.
And today two of Clough’s players in the Forest phenomenon, Frank Clark and John McGovern, will be in the stand aware of that extra edge when Leeds are in town.
Clark, signed on a free transfer from
Newcastle, was part of the amazing journey and said: “It’s fair to say it gave Brian extra pleasure to beat Leeds. I remember how he really enjoyed us beating Leeds in a League Cup semi-final.
“We won 3-1 at Elland Road and came back from 2-1 down at the City Ground to make it 4-2 (7-3 on aggregate).
“The double over Leeds in that semifinal proved we could mix it with the big boys and led the way to us winning the title in our first season after promotion.
“After what he went through at Leeds, it wasn’t surprising that he always wanted to put one over them.”
McGovern and John O’Hare, who had played under Clough at Derby, were his first signings after taking over at Leeds.
McGovern recalled: “From day one, I knew it was a bad move for us. The way they treated me was disgraceful.
“I even got booed onto the pitch by the fans when I made my debut. So now every time we (Forest) play, I wear my European Cup winner’s tie.”
Clark believes reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals will have given Steve Cooper’s current side a boost.
“There isn’t the same expectation as in Brian Clough’s time,” he said. “No one expects them to win the Premier League or the European Cup, but reaching the League Cup semi-final should have given them belief.
“The atmosphere at the City Ground has been incredible. The supporters have taken to Steve and the team as they did to Brian and our side. It’s brilliant.”