The legendary former Nottingham Forest manager, Brian Howard Clough would have turned 90 today.
Clough is the greatest manager in the illustrious history of the Reds, delivering silverware of all proportions to The City Ground across his 18-year spell in charge of Forest.
Over two decades on from his passing, Clough’s influence on the club remains as powerful today as when he graced NG2 with his presence.
We remember the great man and reminisce over his successful spell in The City Ground hotseat and how he helped return the club to the very top of English football with a bit of continental success sprinkled on top.
After beginning his managerial career with Hartlepool United, taking Derby County to the top of English football and an ill-fated spell in charge of Leeds United, Brian Clough was named manager of Nottingham Forest in January 1975.
A respectable first full season in charge at The City Ground saw Forest finish eighth in Division Two, before Clough’s long-term assistant Peter Taylor joined as assistant manager in July 1976.
By 1978, the Reds were champions of England, securing the 1977/78 First Division title, finishing seven points ahead of second place Liverpool.
1978/79 saw Forest reach new heights, winning the European Cup for the first time in the club’s history, before retaining the title in 1979/80. Clough’s place in the Forest history books was cemented.
Across Clough’s time in charge at The City Ground, Forest won 13 different trophies of all levels, including four League Cups, the European Super Cup to add to the European Cup successes and First Division title.
An achievement unlikely to ever be matched, Brian Clough managed an incredible 1,140 Nottingham Forest matches, winning 47% of those matches, using 130 different players in 18 years.
1,678 goals were scored under his stewardship, and the stories told of his time in charge are legendary.
Clough would leave Forest in 1993, bringing down the curtain down on a magical time in NG2, and one that will forever be remembering at the club.
The largest stand at The City Ground is named in his honour, and despite Brian Clough's passing in 2004, his legend, achievements and stature in Forest history and in footballing folklore will never be forgotten, nor surpassed.