|
|
Post by prestonstokie on Mar 23, 2009 21:25:20 GMT
With the forthcoming release of "The Damned United" and all things Brian Clough being recalled - how about the story that never was or just possibly might have been. Cloughie was a big pal of Tony Waddington (they shared a few post-match sessions after we played Derby County 70 to 73. Anyway after Clough resigned from Derby and went briefly to Brighton for an unsuccessful period in 1973-74, he finally got his opportunity to manage Leeds United in 1974 after Don Revie got the England job. As we all know he remained at Leeds for just over 40 days before he was sacked. Clough was distraught but to help him over this and to provide some rehabilitation Tony contacted him and suggested he should spend some time with Stoke on the training ground. This extended to travelling with the team and I can vouch to his presence on the Stoke team bus when it arrived at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam in October 1974 for the second leg of the EUFA tie with Ajax. Cloughie continued his associations for several weeks and although Tony had no active thoughts of leaving at that time - the opportunity for Brian Clough to become permanently involved with our club or even to become manager was a hot topic of conversation. It all ended when Clough took over at Nottingham Forest in January 1975 but the future might have turned out very different for us - although I guess that even Clough wouldn't have been able to stop the Butler Street Stand from blowing away. Although opposition fans always hated him - there is no doubt that he did have time for Stoke and their fans, and we were the sort of club and the sort of area that would have attracted him. I think the story also points out the spirit that was Waddo and the sort of friendship that simply wouldn't happen now.
|
|
|
|
Post by march4 on Mar 23, 2009 21:27:45 GMT
Stoke is nearly as close to Derby as Nottingham is.
Why would Waddo have left after leading us to a UEFA cup tie with Ajax?
|
|
|
|
Post by prestonstokie on Mar 23, 2009 21:33:56 GMT
I agree that there was no likelihood at that time that Tony would have left and we were of course a very successful side. It would have been interesting if Cloughie had remained working with Stoke for a longer period in a joint capacity. Don't forget that Peter Taylor had decided to stay on as manager of Brighton - so at this point Clough was by himself. You're right Nottingham was on his doorstep, as indeed Stoke was.
|
|
|
|
Post by harrysburrow on Mar 23, 2009 21:36:47 GMT
I love that story. Ace.
|
|
|
|
Post by march4 on Mar 23, 2009 21:37:39 GMT
The time for Cloughie would have been when Eastham took over. However, I think this was the season that Forest were promoted. Whilst we spent 2 years in the 2nd Div, before Durban rescued us, Cloughie won the League and the European Cup.
Will it ever happen again that a promoted team will win the title and the following year the European Cup?
|
|
|
|
Post by harrysburrow on Mar 23, 2009 21:39:13 GMT
P.S. My first Stoke game was Boxing Day 1969 - we beat Derby County 1-0 (Harry Burrow's penalty). Was Cloughie manager then prestonstokie? I can't remember.
|
|
|
|
Post by Birchesheadpotter on Mar 23, 2009 21:46:20 GMT
I think the story also points out the spirit that was Waddo and the sort of friendship that simply wouldn't happen now. Did the same thing not happen with Mr Pulis and a certain Bolton manager recently? The question isn't sarcastic by the way, it is genuine. I cant see how said friendship is any different to the one between Pulis and Megson, in which Pulis helped a mate out after a rough patch by getting him back into the swing of things. |
|
|
|
Post by OldStokie on Mar 23, 2009 21:47:35 GMT
I listened to a long interview Martin O'Neil did after watching 'The Damned United'. He was not too complimentary about some parts of the film, saying that it didn't reflect the true story of Cloughie. I always liked Cloughie although he was brash and a bigot at times. A true character in the game. The only other one who I can rank with him was Bill Shankly. Both liked SCFC and and both would have been welcomed here as manager. Taking Cloughie with him was typical of Waddo. He would do the same for his supporters too. There's many a tale of him stopping and helping fans who had broken down on the way to a game. Thinking about it, Waddo and Cloughie were very similar characters in terms of how they perceived the game and the fans. To them, it was always a working mans' game. Cloughie was a tad more to the point than our Great Man. He was always prepared to get involved when 'The Working Classes' let themselves down. In his opinion, being working class didn't give you the right to be a thug. In fact the opposite. IMHO, his greatest achievement in life has been his son, Nigel, who, I hope, goes on to greatness. If he does, it would be a fitting tribute to the values Cloughie aspired to but was not quite capable of achieving. He was always too brash for that. But that's why most of us loved him.
OS.
|
|
|
|
Post by Not_Nick_H on Mar 23, 2009 21:55:21 GMT
- although I guess that even Clough wouldn't have been able to stop the Butler Street Stand from blowing away. - It wouldn't have dared to blow away! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by bringontheclowns on Mar 23, 2009 22:41:56 GMT
Hi guys new poster here,does anyone remember when we were playing one of Cloughies teams at the vic [must of been forrest] and as was usual in those days Stoke were going through a rough patch.
Anyhow`s the City fans Started to voice their dissaproval of the Board and chairman to which Cloughie took great exception and started to jump up and down and telling us to shut up, he thought we were having a go at the manager,but when he heard what the chants were he left his dugout and applauded us.
I`m a bit sketchy on exact details,it was so long ago,could anyone confirm this ? or was I dreaming.
|
|
|
|
Post by sheikhmomo on Mar 23, 2009 22:51:46 GMT
Anyone with an interest in Clough (if they haven't already) should read the magnificent 'Provided you don't kiss me' by Duncan Hamilton the sports hack on the Nottingham Post throughout Clough's time at Forest.
A proper warts and all account of the man, properly uncovering his brilliance, his generosity, his humour, his beastliness, his bullying, his paranoia, his Political beliefs and his eventual descension into the grip of drink.
At the end of it all, despite his obvious many flaws, you can't help but wish he was still around although he wouldn't last five minutes in the easy to dislike modern game.
|
|
|
|
Post by meirsquare on Mar 23, 2009 22:57:18 GMT
Should have been given the England job ahead of Ron Greenwood.......he would have taken no sh t
|
|
|
|
Post by trebor63 on Mar 23, 2009 23:01:31 GMT
Like most people I only know Brian Clough from a distance via the media and like most people I lovw the bloke and wish that he could have been ours! I can't wait to see the Damned United.
I do however know very well a lad that played for Clough at Forest and he bloody hated Clough! I guess that was Clough though you loved him or hated him!
Apparently when Forest played Stoke at the Vic our manager (I think Richie Barker) said to Clough 'we're in desperate need of a centre half' to which Clough said very loudly and obviously about my mate (who was their centre half) 'we've got one here you can have but I wouldn't bother if I was you he's a useless fecker'
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2009 23:09:50 GMT
Anyone with an interest in Clough (if they haven't already) should read the magnificent 'Provided you don't kiss me' by Duncan Hamilton the sports hack on the Nottingham Post throughout Clough's time at Forest. A proper warts and all account of the man, properly uncovering his brilliance, his generosity, his humour, his beastliness, his bullying, his paranoia, his Political beliefs and his eventual descension into the grip of drink. At the end of it all, despite his obvious many flaws, you can't help but wish he was still around although he wouldn't last five minutes in the easy to dislike modern game. Just started reading it over the weekend Momo. Really enjoying it, Clough comes across as an incredibly complex man with unbelievable talents. Clough's devastation at not patching things up wit Peter Taylor before his death is very sad. |
|
|
|
Post by sheikhmomo on Mar 23, 2009 23:21:21 GMT
It is sad, RVD and Hamilton's anger that not a hospitality suite or so much as a khasi is named after Taylor at the City ground says a lot about his influence on the partnership as do Clough's reactions to the 'lame' obituaries for his 'great mate'.
|
|
|
|
Post by stokesaint1 on Mar 24, 2009 0:22:23 GMT
I'm sure I recall us beating Leeds 3-2 at the Vic and hence, it was one of the games that brought about Cloughie's downfall at Leeds. I've a bad memory but wasn't it the same season we came back from 2-0 down to also win 3-2 against Sheff Utd, when they were on their unbeaten run??? I'm sure I was at both matches but just not sure it was that season. Help please to put me out of my misery.
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 24, 2009 0:34:25 GMT
He was always prepared to get involved when 'The Working Classes' let themselves down. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by eddy_under_fire'sviews on Mar 24, 2009 3:28:16 GMT
prestonstokie... where you from in preston? i go uni there
|
|
