Green Jumper

Gary Mills was a teenager when he won the European Cup under the guidance of Brian Clough. In 1980, he became the youngest player to appear in a European Cup Final.

The amazing success at such a young age was a result of talent, hard work and the faith that Cloughie had in Young Millsy.

In this pod, Gary speaks with humour and emotion about his memories of working with The Gaffer.

"People talk about the money in the game nowadays - but I'd never ever swap those years which made me rich in memories," Gary tells podcast host Marcus Alton.

The pod includes a competition to win a signed copy of Gary's book 'Young Millsy' (T&Cs on Clough tribute website). Signed copies are available to purchase by emailing: [email protected].

Gary Mills was a teenager when he won the European Cup with Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest.

In an airport lounge following one of the European games, Cloughie gave Young Millsy some words of encouragement he's never forgotten.

In this trailer for the forthcoming pod, Gary talks with emotion about those glory years and what it was like playing for the Master Manager.

"The gaffer gave me so much confidence," Gary tells pod host Marcus Alton. "But just because I was a young player, I wasn't treated any differently - I still got the rollickings."

"Brian Clough was one of the rare managers who was in charge at the very top of the game, but still treated referees in a very kind manner."

That tribute from former top-flight referee Keith Hackett is a reminder of some of the footballing principles Cloughie always tried to uphold.

In this Green Jumper pod, hosted by brianclough.com editor Marcus Alton, Keith talks about his memories of Clough and how his sides respected officials.

"He was a deep thinker," says Keith. "On the odd occasion I spoke with him privately, I think he had this view that referees and players each had their jobs to do and the two had to meet on the football field - and he wanted players to show respect."

Listed in the Top 100 FIFA referees, Keith also recalls the time Cloughie asked him to ref a friendly match - and reveals whether he would have sent off Paul Gascoine in the 1991 FA Cup Final in which Brian's Forest faced Spurs.

You can follow Keith on Twitter: @HACKETTREF

When Brian Clough asked Keith Hackett to referee a friendly match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, player discipline was a top priority.

"If any player gives you a bit of back-chat, look in my direction and I'll substitute him."

Hackett became a world-renowned referee and an official to be trusted by Cloughie. In the forthcoming podcast, he recalls stories of the Miracle Manager and why the behaviour of players was so important to him.

This episode, hosted by brianclough.com editor Marcus Alton, is a taster of some of the great stories to come....

The statue of Brian Clough in Nottingham city centre was described by Mrs Clough as 'perfect' before she unveiled it in November 2008.

Cloughie's European Cup winning captain, John McGovern, said the bronze sculpture was a 'fantastic resemblance and a great tribute'.

A small team of volunteers had worked tirelessly to raise £70,000 in just 18 months.

But the work didn't stop there - the right sculptor had to be found.

In this special Green Jumper episode, host Marcus Alton recalls his memories of working with the Clough family to achieve the dream of a stunning bronze statue.

You'll also hear from Cloughie legends including John Robertson, Viv Anderson and Tony Woodcock.

A crowd of 5,000 people turned out to see the unveiling on a weekday lunchtime. Here's the behind-the-scenes story of that special day.

"And when the thunder roared, was it God or was it Brian?"

Those words on a stormy night in October 2004 were part of the introduction to the memorial service for Brian Clough.

Derby Cathedral wasn't big enough for the thousands of fans who wanted to remember Cloughie - so they gathered in the type of place he was treated as a God: a football stadium.

The man who spoke those opening words was Nicholas Henshall, from Derby Cathedral.

He's Marcus Alton's guest in this special episode which looks back at the service - which united rival fans - and remembers some of the tributes paid to a remarkable man.

"I was the kid who came from a little part of paradise."

Brian Clough said he learned to play football by covering every blade of grass in Middlesbrough.

Cloughie always spoke fondly of his hometown. In this episode, pod host Marcus Alton hears stories and memories about Brian's strong connections with the north east.

The editor of the Middlesbrough fanzine 'Fly Me To The Moon' - Robert Nicholls - remembers Cloughie's farewell to Ayresome Park. And how fans queued for three hours to meet their Local Hero.

Middlesbrough historian Dr Tosh Warwick reflects on how Clough's childhood surroundings shaped his outlook on life.

Plus, why a pencil would always remind Brian of his hometown.

"God better give me his favourite armchair."

That was one of the newspaper headlines seventeen years ago, following the sad news that football genius Brian Clough had passed away.

In this short tribute as part of the continuing series of Green Jumper pods, Marcus Alton - the editor of the non profit tribute website brianclough.com - looks back at that time and reflects on some of the tributes paid to the Miracle Manager.

Brian Clough never forgot his Middlesbrough roots. In this taster of the forthcoming pod, there are stories and memories from his Boro days.

Joining host Marcus Alton are Boro fanzine editor Robert Nicholls and Middlesbrough historian Dr Tosh Warwick.

"I remember when Brian visited Ayresome Park for the last time. It was a very emotional day," recalls Robert, whose house is on the site of the old stadium.

"Brian's background naturally made him fight the cause of the underdog," says Tosh, who explains how Cloughie ensured there was a testimonial match for his own footballing hero.

Marcus Alton is the editor of the tribute website, brianclough.com, which helps to raise money for the types of good causes Brian supported.

Marcus has written four books about Clough - all of which have been Amazon best-sellers. Clough's autobiographies are still available (original edition published by Transworld; Walking on Water published by Headline).

"In my opinion, he was the best football manager since the war." Well, you can't argue with that!

Former Home Secretary and Chancellor Ken Clarke, now Lord Clarke of Nottingham, is the guest on this first episode of the new season.

There are some brilliant Cloughie stories, including what happened when Brian held protests outside Ken Clarke's constituency office. "I was trying to hold my regular surgery with constituents," says the former Rushcliffe MP.

Plus you'll hear how the former Home Secretary - and Forest supporter - helped Cloughie sign a foreign midfielder, after a standard Home Office letter told him to advertise the position in the local newspaper!

The pod host is Marcus Alton, the founder of the non profit tribute website brianclough.com, which helps to raise money for good causes and is celebrating its 21st anniversary.