Did anyone watch the documentary on ITV this evening? It was certainly fascinating for somebody of my generation who grew up, so to speak with Brian. One of my earliest Charlton memories was seeing us beat his all conquering Derby side at the Valley 2-0 in 68/9. They were promoted and went on to win the Championship. We fell at the final hurdle (too many home draws in the run in) and were relegated two seasons later.
I also remember the stuff about Leeds and his hatred of them etc.
What an incredible bloke he was and the biggest cop out of all time was made when they didn't appoint him as England manager. He was a shoe in and yet, I kind of knew he wouldn't get the job.
I am going to see The Damned United this weekend if I can. I haven't read the book - I'm rather glad I haven't given the furore it caused. The film is more sympathetic, I believe.
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Book is superb, hope the film is not a letdown
Some critics say Spall did a fine job. Anyway I will judge for myself, I also have been looking forward to the film.
Although a work of fiction I thought the book was excellent. Having read Clough's bio by Sadler (Ithink thats who ghosted it) I thought it was pretty close to the truth of his time at Dirty Leeds.
Cloughs record as a manager stands better than any England manager we have ever had.
love the bit with him and revie -
That's a very good point, Darren.
So why do we always want to pull people down - or focus on worst case scenario instead of the possibilities of what can be achieved?
Darren, speak as you find but I thought on balance this documentary was pro Clough and cast a good light on him.
It is true that his widow and family were very unhappy at the book and don't like the film.
I've not read the book and I'll make my own mind up about the film.
One thing is certain, what he achieved was astonishing. To take Derby to win the Championship and then Forest to both League title and European Cup winners, then successfully defend the Cup was incredible and I can't imagine it happening again, not without a Billionaires money backing it.
It happens to us all.
One of the comments that I've read from ex-Leeds players is that Brian Clough thought he'd inherited an ageing team, and that he tried to change things at once and far too quickly !to put his own stamp on the side !!
Shades of Dowie maybe when he came in to the Valley maybe ???
( ccomparing the situation ... certainly not the managers! )
Absolutely agree. The doco was v good & did a balanced job. I was thinking more of the drama/documentary type stuff, like the book/film, that are an author's view of someone's life but can be mistaken for historical truth. Sorry if I expressed it badly, it was late :-)
Definitely need to get sky plus...
Is it available on line at ITV.com?
I was hoping there might have been an advanced screening but not in this area anyway. I am going to try and see it, maybe even tomorrow! I really hope it's as good as I've heard and more sympathetic to his memory than the books appears to have been.
Surely in todays terms it would be liking taking, er, Derby County or Forest to promotion and League title success.
The rusty run down ground (which is used for The Baseball Ground) serves as a great back drop. I've not read the contraversial book but this film shows the incredible character of Cloughie in a excellent but human light. At the same time it creates the dramatic effect necessary to keep us interested in the characters and what happens to them.
I could come over all Dickie Attenborough and wax lyrically on about character development, from charismatic youthful exuberance, to arrogance and finally to realisation and growth. That is though, how it comes over, It is done so well, and acted so brilliantly. We see the paradox of his brilliance and yet his vulnerablity and this is personified in his relationship with Peter Taylor.
If you remember those days, you will love the film because it catches that time brilliantly. If you don't remember those days, you'll still love the footballing backdrop to the story which is great even for those who don't like football.
One final point, I couldn't help seeing Jose Mourinho as the latter day Cloughie, although there will only ever be one Brian Clough.
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I think you mean dear old Dickie Attenborough, unless you think the film should have been shot on the Serengeti and involved a herd of elephants or gazelles or something.
I remember that game well both my Mum and Dad came along and we had seats in the The Stand. Only the 2nd time I'd sat at Football.
Cloughie had fashioned a fair old team with Green in goal and Dave MCKay marshalling a defence and
Hector and O Hare up front and Hinton supplying crosses. I recall Graham Moore and Alan Campbell having a great
game and Matt Tees heading a winner in front of 25,000 odd crowd. I recall some of the old boys
saying it was at least 35, 000 with many going in through the 'Gliksten' gate.
I have to admit to being a Clough fan , not for just his football , brilliant as a player and manager but
for daring to say what he really felt. No spin there. That's a film I want to see
You are right of course - now edited...doh!!
Ferguson aside there is no one in the present game that could do this.A man with faults, like George Best, but still the best IMO
The one from Wednesday night yes? It was just called Clough.
http://www.itv.com/Sport/Football/News/Generalnews/ManualStories/ITVsCloughdocumentaryontheDamnedUnited/default.html
Repeated next Friday and Saturday for anyone that missed it.