THAT TIME BRIAN CLOUGH PLAYED AGAINST US
Brian Clough managed us for almost eighteen years, after spells in charge at Hartlepool, Derby, Brighton and Leeds.Before that though, he had an amazing career as a striker, playing for Middlesbrough and then Sunderland. His Middlesbrough record included 204 goals in 222 games, and then in his three seasons at Sunderland he scored 54 goals in just 61 games. Of the players who have scored over 200 goals in the English leagues, Clough has the highest goals-per-game ratio of 0.916!
So that leaves the question...did he ever play against Forest? And that is a great question. You see, Brian played against us twice...
Saturday November 10th, 1956 - Forest 0 - 4 Middlesbrough
This was Brian's first appearance against Forest. On a Saturday in November he came to the City Ground with his 'boro team. And, of course, he scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 win. His first goal was on the stroke of half-time; he added two more in the 68th and 79th minute before Arthur Fitzsimmons made it four a minute later. It was our first home loss of the season (after 7 games at the City Ground) and Middlesbrough jumped over us into 3rd place in the league. This was Brian's first hat-trick in the league and I assume he got the match ball. And who was in goal for Middlesbrough that day? A certain Peter Taylor.
Saturday March 23rd 1957 - Middlesbrough 2 -2 Forest
In the return fixture in March we managed a 2-2 draw at Ayresome Park. Needless to say, Clough assisted the first goal and scored the second goal for Middlesbrough. According to the Newcastle Sunday Sun, "The game built to an exciting climax when Clough scored a fine individual goal holding off two defenders before squeezing the ball past the advancing goalkeeper".
So that's two games, four goals, an assist and a hat-trick. A genius both off and on the pitch.
BRIAN CLOUGH'S PLAYING SUMMARY
While at Middlesbrough
During Brian's five seasons at Middlesbrough, we only had the chance to play them for two of those seasons. Brian played twice against us, in the 1956-57 season:
| Season | Forest Division | Middlesbrough Division | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955-56 | Second Division | Second Division | We played them twice that season, losing 3-2 and 4-2. Clough did not play in either game. |
| 1956-57 | Second Division | Second Division | We played them twice in the league, losing 4-0 at home and drawing 2-2 away. Brian Clough scored a hat-trick in the first game and another goal in the second game. We finished in 2nd place so were promoted up to the First Division and wouldn't play 'Boro again until 1972 |
| 1957-58 | First Division | Second Division | (Not in the same division) |
| 1959-60 | First Division | Second Division | (Not in the same division) |
| 1960-61 | First Division | Second Division | (Not in the same division) |
While at Sunderland
During Brian's four seasons at Sunderland, we only had the chance to play them for one of those seasons, and never against a team with Brian in it:
| Season | Forest Division | Sunderland Division | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961-62 | First Division | Second Division | (Not in the same division) |
| 1962-63 | First Division | Second Division | Not in the same division, but in a home game against Bury on 26 December 1962, Clough collided with the Bury goalkeeper, Chris Harker. He tore the medial and cruciate ligaments in his knee, an injury that kept him out for a year. |
| 1963-64 | First Division | Second Division | Not in the same division, but Clough out injured for the season anyway |
| 1964-65 | First Division | First Division | We played Sunderland twice in the League and also in the FA Cup, but Brian had already retired by then, after making just three appearances for them this season. |
To see the times that Brian Clough managed clubs against us, click here