Cloughie: The best of all time

NOTTINGHAM FOREST supporters know. Derby County supporters know, too.

Yesterday was the 14th anniversary of the passing of the greatest British football manager who ever lived (below).

Charismatic, bombastic, genius that he was. His memory was applauded in the 14th minute of Forest’s game against Rotherham United at the City Ground.

Others won more pots. The likes of Ferguson, Shankly, Paisley, Stein – but none of them won the title twice with two provincial clubs who, prior to the arrival of this bloke, rarely did anything of note.

He topped it with two European Cup triumphs. And those who know in the good city of Derby swear that if it hadn’t been for a dubious refereeing performance in the semifinal against Juventus that they too would have reached the final in 73.

Yes, spells at Leeds United and Brighton didn’t end well. Once the last of Don Revie’s side faded post 75, so did their star. Was it Clough’s fault? Mostly, probably. But he wasn’t a man for turning.

And, with Peter Taylor, look what he did at Forest a few years later. His star was in the ascendance.

So, rest in peace, Brian Clough. Gone but never forgotten.

DIDN’T take long, did it? Clubs whined about the transfer window and all the disruption it caused during the early season when the deadline was August 31.

So they moved the date to coincide with the start of the season.

And now the big boys want a U-turn, favouring a return to the old way of doing things. Which is all fine and good. Because if they get their way at least now we will be spared any more whingeing from the Big Six.