Brian Clough RIP

[Tommy Martyn]

The football manager Brian Clough died today, aged 69. The term "Great" is often applied to lesser mortals in the sporting world. In the case of Cloughie the title was well deserved. In the 1980's he took Nottingham Forrest from the second division to back to back European Champions. (In US terms the equivalent of taking a team from the minors to the world series.) Nottingham: the place and the team were hardly affluent. The payroll was a fraction of sides like Real or Man U. It is hard to believe that his feat will be repeated in the modern game.

As well as his accomplishments, he will be remembered for his personality. All the cliches (broke the mould, larger than life etc) apply. My favourite was when he bitch slapped some of his own supporters for invading the pitch. There were murmurings of charges of assault. A quick thinking TV show had the fans and Cloughie meet up on camera where he kissed them and said sorry. Even more amazing is that cloughie did all this while being a full blown alchoholic. Eventually it took his liver and he had a transplant.

I don't know what the criteria (criterion?) are for boarding the bus but this man deserves a seat.

[mccutcheon]

during Liverpool and Man U today there was a lot said about him. Tommy come to NYC and I'll introduce you to your fellow man.

ps I never heard of him until today. But I'm American mind you.