Peacemaker7

The Brian Clough Challenge - by Bobbev

Brian Clough was undoubtedly one of the best football managers of his generation and it was a sad day for football when he passed away on September 20th 2004 aged 69. His record as a player was extraordinary - before his career was prematurely curtailed by a knee injury he made 274 appearances for Middlesbrough and Sunderland, scoring 251 goals. But it was his managerial achievements that sealed his reputation. After a short stint on the coaching staff at Sunderland he took over as manager of Hartlepool at the age of 30 and gained promotion from the 4th Division. He then moved to Derby County, taking them to the First Division and winning the league title in season 1971-72. The next season he guided Derby to the Semi Finals of the European Cup before falling out with Chairman Sam Longson and resigning. He failed to bring success to either of his next two clubs. A poor season at Brighton was followed by his infamous 44-day reign at Leeds. But after 4 months out of the game he got back on the managerial rollercoaster at Nottingham Forest in January 1975. Forest were promoted to the First Division in the 1976-77 season and then won the title in the season after. This was followed by two consecutive European Cup victories in seasons 1978-79 and 1979-80. Whilst at Forest Clough also enjoyed four League Cup successes in 1977-78, 1978-79, 1988-89 and 1989-90. His only regrets were his failure to lift the FA Cup and the fact that he was never appointed England manager.

So here is your challenge - can you surpass the achievements of the legendary Brian Clough?

Stage 1 - Hartlepool
Take over at Hartlepool and gain them promotion.

Stage 2 - Derby County
As soon as possible after that take over at Derby and win the Premiership title. Go one step better than Brian and get County into a European Final (UEFA Cup or Champions League)

Stage 3 - Brighton or Leeds
Take one of Clough's less successful clubs to FA Cup glory.

Stage 4 - Nottingham Forest
Secure the Forest job, win the Premiership with them and then go on to lift the Champions League twice and the League Cup four times.

Stage 5 - The England Job

Fulfil the great man's final ambition by gaining the England job and taking them to the final stages of a major tournament (World Cup or European Championship).

flipsix3

Well done on winning the vote Bob, I'll check back in some time around March (2007) to see how people are progressing with stage two

Terk

congratumalations, bob

Peacemaker7

Its probably possible I think, but it involves a lot of luck with jobs opening up. I'll be giving it a go anyway.

flipsix3

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
I'll be giving it a go anyway. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, me too I guess

Bagpuss

Two worthy challenges at which i'll give both a bash probably, alltohugh not with a story for both.

Jambo_4eva

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dan_Chisum:
Hey Bobbev, congrats on the good challenge. Question though, since I already have a Hartlepool game going http://community.sigames.com/eve/for...7&m=581204178, can I just use that for the challenge?In my game the teams are in the following divisions: Hartlepool (Conference), Derby (1st Division), Brighton (1st Division), Leeds (Premier Division), Nottingham Forest (2nd Division). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm not Bobbev, but I'm pretty sure you could do as there seems nothing wrong with that.

Good challenge actually, but could bnever manage it!

Daz the Imp

Congrats Bob :thup:

My attempt

BobBev

Wow - just got back from my New Year hols to find this unexpected news. Thanks to all who voted.

Dan_Chisum - I see no problem in using your current game for the challenge.

As a general point I realise that one thing that can be difficult in this type of challenge is waiting for the right job to open up. So in the interest of keeping the challenge alive and moving the story along I have no problem if anyone who is having a go and getting a bit frustrated adds new managers at strategic points to take charge of a club.

Peacemaker7

Here's my effort, for the record:

Here