Brian Clough

Brian Clough, OBE (March 21, 1935–September 20 2004) was a talented footballer and subsequently a successful football manager, most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. He is noted for his playfully abrasive style when interviewed and mock-exaggerated opinions of his own abilities (he nicknamed himself "Old Big 'Ead").

Death and legacy

Clough died of stomach cancer on September 20, 2004, at the age of 69.

Related Topics:
September 20 - 2004

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Such was his popularity that fans of Derby County and Nottingham Forest, usually the fiercest of rivals, mourned together following his passing. A memorial service was held at Derby's Pride Park Stadium on October 21, 2004 which was attended by over 14,000 people. It was originally to be held at Derby Cathedral, but had to be moved due to demand for tickets.

Related Topics:
Pride Park Stadium - October 21 - 2004 - Derby Cathedral

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Many consider that taking two relatively small and unfashionable clubs to such heights ranks as one of the great -- if not the greatest -- managerial achievements in the history of English football.

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During these years Clough was the English public's pick for manager of England, but he was never given the job by the Football Association, presumably because FA officials were nervous about his outspoken nature and habit of causing controversy. To this day Clough is widely regarded as the best manager never to have had the England job.

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Clough's assistant manager at Derby and Brighton, Peter Taylor, fell out with him in 1982 and returned to Derby County as manager where he remained until retiring from football in 1984. During Taylor's spell as manager of Derby, the rift between him and Clough deepened when he signed Nottingham Forest winger John Robertson without first telling Clough. The rift had not been repaired by the time Taylor died, but Clough and his family still attended Taylor's funeral.

Related Topics:
1982 - John Robertson

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Clough was reportedly being considered for a knighthood for his services to soccer when he died. He already had an OBE and joked that it stood for "Old Big 'Ead".

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His son, Nigel Clough, currently manages Burton Albion F.C.

Related Topics:
Nigel Clough - Burton Albion F.C.

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In June 2005 the Nottingham Playhouse premiered a play called 'Old Big 'Ead in The Spirit of the Man: Brian Clough Takes to the Stage.. Quite Literally!' in which Clough was portrayed by actor Colin Tarrant.

Related Topics:
2005 - Nottingham Playhouse - The Spirit of the Man - Colin Tarrant

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