When I earned my living as a professional photographer I was asked to provide a photograph of Brian Clough for some long forgotten article.
A head and shoulders photograph was wanted, not the usual pitch side view of Clough. My friends and colleagues basically said, rather you than me.
I decided that it would be best to approach Mr Clough when the Nottingham Forest team coach arrived at Anfield for their game against Liverpool. No good after the match, Forest could lose and Mr Clough would not be happy.
When the coach arrived Brian Clough was first off and I stepped forward and I said
Mr Clough may I take your photograph?
"You may young man" said Clough.
He turned slightly and looked straight in to the camera, no smile - football is a matter of life and death - I got my photograph and Brian Clough led his team into Anfield. I cannot remember the score that day, but I was pleased that I had got my picture.
My encounter with Brian Clough does not feature in the new film about his controversial 44 days in charge of Leeds United, but don’t let that deter you from seeing the excellent "The Damned United".
Brian Clough loved the spotlight, he loved the Media and the Media loved him. Clough worked the media like a rich vein of Nottinghamshire coal.
This is not a sporting film in the Roy of the Rovers style; it is about relationships, Clough’s relationship with his assistant Peter Taylor. His acrimonious relationship with the man he replace at Leeds United, Don Revie.
It is also about how different football was in the 60s and 70s. Before the money became so important. Very early on Clough is seem setting out the dressing room for a visit of Leeds United, for an FA Cup match. Clough was then Manager of Derby County who were near the foot of the old 2nd Division. Clough is seen placing an orange on each towel and an ashtray next to each towel. An Ashtray? I cannot see many ashtrays being provided in football dressing rooms these days and the players can no longer nip behind the bike sheds for a smoke, the bike sheds have gone the way of ashtrays.
Michael Sheen is one of the finest screen actors of his generation. His portrayals of Tony Blair in The Queen and David Frost in Frost/ Nikon were superb. As is his performance here as Brian Clough, this is not just an impersonation this is acting at it’s finest. He is Clough.
Dublin born Coln Meaney of Star Trek Deep Space Nine fame is the embodiment of Don Revie, Leeds Uniteds very successful Manager. His coat alone should get an award.
My only criticism is that Timothy Spall, fine actor that he is, is not Peter Taylor, Cloughs assistant and number 2, very much the power behind the thrown, Clough was the public face and Peter took care of Business. Peter Taylor was a tall, handsome, very dapper man. He always wore a fine suit, when Clough started to wear, what became his trademark Green Top and tracksuit bottoms, Peter Taylor still wore a suit. Timothy Spall looks nothing like him and I just wonder why, when the producers of The Damned United have gone to so much trouble to replicate the era, why they did not cast someone who bore a little more resemblance to Peter Taylor. That said, Timothy Spall is very good in his role, if a little untidy.
It does not spoil the film to know that Clough did not last at Leeds United. He went on to win back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest and became the nemesis of Liverpool.
The Directors, fans and players that ousted him from Leeds, must have watched the success of Nottingham Forest and said Damn if only.
Can you take your girl friend to see this film, yes, it will keep the attention of the neutral, this is not Footballers Wives but a very fine film. It will bring Brian Clough to a whole new generation. Was Brian Clough the top one? You just have to look at were Leeds United, Derby County and Nottingham Forest are in the league these days to answer that.
For football fans of a certain age this is rated 9/10... In all honesty more the uninitiated it is more 7/10.
"It's a Wonderful Life"
(Thu 02/12)
TURN IT DOWN.
(Thu 11/11)
Do we need another Beatles book.
(Mon 11/10)
President or Pope, who is most welcome?
(Mon 16/08)
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