Marcus Alton

Controversial, outspoken and a football genius, Brian Clough is often described as the best manager England never had. After setting a superb goalscoring record at Middlesbrough and Sunderland, a devastating injury in icy conditions effectively ended his playing career. But a new chapter in the Clough story was about to unfold. With an unmatched ability to motivate players, the master manager transformed two unfashionable clubs and made them world class, playing stylish football and with a respect for authority. Not only did he guide Derby County and Nottingham Forest to the pinnacle of the domestic game, he also went on to lead the Reds to two successive European Cups. Such success from lowly beginnings is unlikely to be seen again. But the long journey from Middlesbrough marksman to European glory was far from smooth, with a rocky forty-four days at Leeds along the way. Using archive reports and analysis, Brian Clough Fifty Defining Fixtures takes a unique look at some of the key matches that tell the story of the most charismatic figure the game has ever known.