Clough

Brian Clough is widely regarded as the most magnetic football manager of the past thirty years, a man whose humour, bluntness and tenderness set him apart from the cautious suits who run the game. Born into a working-class background, he has nonetheless made a fortune, yet he still comes across as a man of the people. Before he took up management, he was a forward of exceptional skill, scoring 251 League goals in 274 appearances before a serious injury ended his playing career far too early.

As a manager, he transformed Derby County and then Nottingham Forest, lifting both clubs from the lower reaches of the Second Division to the top of the sport. His tactical sharpness and gift for inspiring players are legendary, and many feel England never gave him the chance he deserved. His career has been marked by rows, most famously with his longtime partner Peter Taylor, and by public incidents that made tabloid headlines, including one that was broadcast live when he ran onto the pitch to confront fans. He has also faced questions over alleged illegal ticket dealings, which he has taken legal advice on.

In this autobiography, Clough tells his own story for the first time, moving from a council house in Middlesbrough to a grand home in a select Derby suburb. He writes about his strong-willed mother, his courtship and marriage to his glamorous wife Barbara, his family, especially his son Nigel, a prolific goalscorer, and his health, which has attracted much press attention. Written in his own voice, it offers an unusually candid look at a famously private figure.