A night of truth about Brian Clough
HE'S the subject of novels, biographies and a forthcoming film, the inspiration for statues and the naming of a major road and a football stand.
The Brian Clough legend – powerful enough when he was alive – has only gathered pace since the great man's death in 2004.
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Brian Clough
Alas, some of the myths that have passed into Cloughie folklore are far from factual, say five of the Forest legend's ex-players. They have decided to gather on-stage for an evening of reminiscences intended to right the records.
European Cup winners Tony Woodcock, Garry Birtles, Kenny Burns, Viv Anderson and John McGovern will recount stories from Forest's golden era, in an evening compered by Five Live's longstanding sports commentator Pat Murphy at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall in June.
The players will be joined by Forest fan Colin Tarrant as Cloughie – a role he made famous in the Nottingham Playhouse hit Old Big 'Ead In The Spirit Of The Man.
The evening – named Brian Clough's Way – will also feature surprise guests, a Q&A and an opportunity for fans to meet players after the show.
The idea came about following a similar nostalgia-based event involving West Ham players.
Tony Woodcock, who now runs a global business development company with Viv Anderson, felt the idea should be replicated in Nottingham.
He said: "Viv and I travel all over the world and, no matter which bar or restaurant we go into, people come across and ask us, 'What was Cloughie really like?'
"Sometimes they'll recount stories and ask if they were true. Sometimes they are and sometimes they're way off!
"Anyway, we thought it would be good to have one event, in a theatre, where everyone can remember Brian Clough as he was.
"We're like an extended family so it will all be based on fact."
Colin added: "The evening will be loosely scripted in that I'll be finding out from the players what stories they will be telling and how I might contribute to them. This was a historic era for Forest and it's great to be working with my heroes."
Brian Clough's Way will take place at the Royal Concert Hall on June 5. Tickets, costing £20, are available on 0115 989 5555.
6 Comments
by Paul C, Manchester
Sunday, January 31 2010, 9:22PM
“Fred is right. It's a scream. I'd easily pay twice that much and travel all the way back from Manchester to hear people who knew Mr Clough reminisce. I grew up in Nottingham, and was a ten year old in 1979, so the man and the team mean the world to me.
£20 a time, the gig'll be sold out in minutes. Celebrate your heroes for what they did, and what they contributed to the community, not for their weaknesses and failings (if they really existed). Nottingham has a few heroes, and Mr Clough deserves a place high up the list.”
by Jimbob738, Nottingham
Friday, January 08 2010, 9:49AM
“Fred what's a Laughable is Notts Clownty's business mentality!
anyway im sure the money will go to good causes im well up for this i didnt like the film The Dammed United thought i showed Cloughie as a self obsesed drunk who was paronoid! this isnt true i can understand why Nigel and his Family hated the movie and the book! YOU REDSSSSS!
Down with the Pies !”
by George, Nottm
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 2:57PM
“Of course Fred is deadly serious Dave.... £20 represents the Sadpies entire player budget for a season!!”
by dave harris [ montemar], spain , [ montemar]
Thursday, March 05 2009, 12:47PM
“fred you must be a magpie, as there is nothing to laugh about there,”
by clive, west bridgford
Wednesday, March 04 2009, 12:15PM
“I only knew Brian Clough by name and sight in the late 1970's, until one day early 1979 I was introduced to him by a gentleman who was purchasing my Wife's small business. The gentlemans name was Stewart. I will not go further than that at present, but he was a complete gentleman in EVERY respect. We were in a wholesalers when Stewart was aproached by Brian Clough, who greeted him most warmly. After the introductions I soon became aware of just what made this person very special. They seemed very close and old friends,which I was to find out they were. Stewart was in some "trouble" at the time, of which I only knew the sketchiest of detailsHowever Brian later told me the full story, as I am unable to substansiate any of it, I just had to believe what Brian Clough told me. I actually have no doubt that what he told me was correct as I knew some of the people mentioned myself through my own small business as a plumber. The details can stay buried as to resurect any of them would cause some distress to people still living. However with a friend like Brian Clough, Stewart got through the difficulties. The others, all have now been shown to be very little people indeed. I am not a football supporter so have no bias. Brian Clough was a great human being, if a little blunt sometimes.”
by fred, notts
Tuesday, March 03 2009, 5:28PM
“20 POUND A TICKET . YOU MUST
BE HAVING A
LAUGH .”