For two decades they lay hidden away in a box. Now West Bridgford best-selling author Marcus Alton has lifted the lid on a treasure trove of Brian Clough quotes and stories – many in print for the first time.
‘Brian Clough: The Lost Tapes’ includes tales from Cloughie’s first ever studio-based radio phone-in, as well as stories from personal appearances and Brian’s regular guest slots on a local radio show.
The book is the result of years of research by Marcus, who has previously written four Cloughie books (raising money for the types of good causes Brian supported).
Marcus also hosts the Green Jumper podcast (with listeners in over 70 countries) as well as running the non-profit brianclough.com tribute website.
“The previous books turned out to be best-sellers, but this one is definitely the best yet,” said Marcus, who discovered the rare collection of cassette tapes and mini-discs (along with archive articles and interviews) while having a ‘sort-out’ at home during the pandemic.
“Listening back to these brilliant recordings was like stepping back into a special piece of history,” added Marcus.
“Brian talks with a lot of humour and passion about various subjects – including many issues which are still relevant today. For example, he disliked the concept of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) which was still only an idea in those days.
“He said that having two referees was like having two chairmen of a football club – one was enough! It reminded me yet again how much we miss his entertaining media appearances, his controversial opinions and his wonderful way with words.”
When speaking to fans on the radio, Clough would insist on calling them by their full name, so Nick became Nicholas. Another caller said he liked to be referred to as Chris, but Brian maintained that he’d been christened Christopher so that’s what he called him!
Added Marcus: “One of the recordings included my first meeting with Cloughie in 1994 – which I thought had been lost forever. He even burst into song during that special appearance!
“Fortunately, I still have a small cassette player and a device which plays mini-discs, so I could listen back to this treasure trove of recordings. On another cassette I found a really special recording of a radio phone-in when Brian chatted to my dad.
“During that conversation, Brian delivered one of his many classic comments. It’s special not only for the quote, but because my dad passed away suddenly in 2016 and it meant a lot to me to hear his voice again.”
The foreword of the book has been written by one of Brian Clough’s legendary defenders, Paul Hart, who recalls his first meeting with Cloughie – when the Nottingham Forest boss told Hart he could call him Brian. “I thought it was a trap. In the end, I never did call him Brian, it was usually Gaffer!”
Stories in the book include a dying man’s final wish to meet Brian and how Cloughie went to see him in hospital. The poignant moment reflects the incredible connection Clough had with his fans.
The book is published by DB Publishing and part of the proceeds will go to two charities: the NSPCC and Nottinghamshire Hospice. It is available at the tribute website: brianclough.com/the-lost-tapes. RRP: £14.99.
