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Brian Clough

Peter Goulding

Tuesday, September 28th, 2004

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 (i)

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 He could turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse,
He berated the fans for the way that they’d curse.
If you didn’t defer, he was tetchy and terse,
But you prospered in Cloughie’s regime.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 As a footballing pundit, he was brash and outrageous.
His humour was dry and completely contagious.
His tactics were bold and uniquely courageous,
For he knew how to manage a team.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 We were taken aback when he first burst upon us,
His sides had no superstars, no prima donnas,
But he moulded them well and achieved many honours,
Including the ultimate dream.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 He could brandish the chequebook, but only when needed,
And budgets were rarely, if ever, exceeded,
His own fallibility was never conceded,
And he rose to the top like the cream.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Quotations are legion, the myths are updated,
The anecdotes told and the folklore related,
The thirst for the stories has not dissipated,
For he was the manager supreme.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 (ii)

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 “The Germans, Brian,” said Brian Moore,
“Have not been too inspiring.
It doesn’t seem they want to score,
And some of them are tiring.”

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 Cloughie didn’t say a word,
The silence was unbroken.
It seemed as though he hadn’t heard
The words that had been spoken.

10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 “Brian?” said the anchorman,
As though he’d indigestion.
“Yes?” replied Clough, quite deadpan,
“You’ve not asked me a question.”

11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 (iii)

12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 When Forest won at Wembley,
He took the Cup back home,
Placed it on the telly
And watched the game again
On “Match of the Day.”

13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 Now that, I dare suggest,
Is class in the extreme.

© Peter Goulding 28th September 2004

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/brian-clough/