Green Jumper

Former barrister Andrew Prestwich recalls personal memories of the legal battle between Brian Clough and the disgraced media tycoon Robert Maxwell.

"They just did not see eye-to-eye," says Andrew. "Clough certainly felt Maxwell was a negative influence on public life."

Andrew is now the author of a book called 'Prez' which focusses on his son Charlie's experience of junior and academy level football. You can find out more about the book HERE.

In this exclusive interview, you’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories of what happened when Brian Clough and his players teamed up with pop group Paper Lace to make a hit record back in 1978.

The group’s lead singer, Phil Wright, recalls what happened in the studio when they recorded the iconic single ‘We’ve Got The Whole World In Our Hands’ which reached the Top 30 in the UK charts.

Plus, he describes the training session featured in the song’s accompanying video and meeting Cloughie himself. “We arrived at the City Ground in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce - I’m the first to get out and shake Cloughie’s hand,” recalls Phil.

There are also memories of the group’s rise to fame after appearing on the legendary talent show Opportunity Knocks before reaching No.1 with ‘Billy Don’t Be A Hero.’

It’s an episode packed with nostalgia and great stories. Phil and the group are still performing these days - more details on their website HERE.

You can see archive articles on the Green Jumper podcast page at brianclough.com.

Phil Wright is the lead singer of the original Paper Lace pop group, who teamed-up with Brian Clough and his players to make a hit record in 1978.

In this exclusive interview for the Green Jumper, Phil recalls travelling on the Nottingham Forest team coach to the recording studio in Birmingham as part of what he describes as "a fantastic day."

The result was the hit single 'We've Got The Whole World In Our Hands' which reached the Top 30 in the UK charts.

In this trailer for the forthcoming full episode, Phil tells Marcus Alton what happened in the recording studio and why Brian Clough gave him a telling off!

Phil and the group still perform - more details on their website HERE.

"Boss, where do you want me to play?"

That was the question defender Frank Clark posed to Brian Clough when he was brought on as Nottingham Forest's second-half substitute in a league match at Ipswich.

"Play up front - you can't do any worse than him," came the reply.

It led to Frank's one and only league goal in a playing career which spanned around 17 years and hundreds of appearances for Newcastle and Forest.

In Part Two of his entertaining chat with Marcus Alton, Frank recalls that momentous goal and the 1979 European Cup Final victory, as well as following the formidable footsteps of Cloughie at Forest and even playing the guitar for the Miracle Manager.

In Frank Clark's first conversation with Brian Clough, the experienced defender's hopes of a big contract were soon dashed. "He told me there were two reasons he wanted to sign me. He said the first was he hadn't got a left-back and the second reason was I was cheap!"

At the age of 32, Clark joined Clough at Nottingham Forest on a free transfer in the summer of 1975. He went on to enjoy the best four years of his career, winning promotion, the League Cup, the championship title and the European Cup.

In Part One of this fascinating chat with pod host Marcus Alton, Frank describes life working with Brian Clough and how he formed a great on-field relationship with the wonderful John Robertson.

"My first meeting with Brian Clough was a fiasco," recalls Frank Clark, speaking exclusively on the Green Jumper pod. "My car broke down in the Tyne Tunnel and I was two hours late. Fortunately he waited for me!"

After that difficult start, Frank went on to enjoy the best years of his career with Cloughie, after being given a free transfer by Newcastle. He went on to win a host of trophies including two European Cups.

This entertaining chat with pod host Marcus Alton is a trailer for the forthcoming full interview.

Brian Clough is often described as the best manager England never had. In this entertaining episode, you'll hear stories from his time as the boss of the England Youth Team.

Cloughie had been turned down for the top job in 1977, but he and Peter Taylor took charge of the country's youth team for a three-team tournament the following year.

"Blow me, you're an ugly lot," was his first comment to the young lads when they met, ahead of the first game in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.

A teenage Gary Mills not only played for Cloughie at Nottingham Forest but was also part of this youth team - and he shares incredible memories of that time in this exclusive interview with Marcus Alton.

"Brian would have a chat with us at half-time, not about the game, but we'd put the world to rights."

Barrie Saunders would often referee matches involving Brian Clough's A-Team at Nottingham Forest, including first team players returning from injury.

In this episode, Barrie recalls the impact Cloughie would have from his sheer presence on the touchline.

"I was in awe of this incredible character, but it never affected by judgment as a referee," Barrie tells pod host Marcus Alton.

"He gave me the opportunity to play for the football club I supported as a boy."

Former Nottingham Forest defender Steve Chettle shares his special Brian Clough memories with Marcus Alton.

This extended episode includes memories of Brian Clough as a centre-forward at Sunderland. There's also a chat with former Cloughie player Alan Hinton who recalls a special reunion. You'll also hear from the Ray Mundo Futbol podcast, following an interview with Green Jumper host Marcus Alton.

Our thanks go to the Roker Report for introducing us to Jim Wales who remembers watching Cloughie at Sunderland. He was 15 when he went to Roker Park on his own for the first time - and he saw Brian score a hat-trick!

Cloughie made his debut for Sunderland in August 1961 (joining from Middlesbrough) and scored 63 goals in 74 appearances (league and cup) for the club. He suffered a devastating knee injury against Bury on Boxing Day 1962.

There are more memories, classic quotes and books/souvenirs (supporting good causes) at brianclough.com.