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Joseph Clough held his newborn son in his arms. He was an ugly bundle of flesh and bone, like all babies, and his father despaired of what would become of him. This wasnt his first child, and it wouldnt be his last, although he wished to god it would be. Another screaming mouth to feed. Joseph look long into the baby's eyes, wondering what possible hope there could be for this child, his child's future.
Would he be an astronaut and walk on the moon? A pilot of a great intercontinental aircraft? Would he be a bus driver, a train driver or a dustman? No-one knew, and no-one really cared. In the great scheme of things, what possible difference did the life of one person make.
01-03-2005, 03:18 AM
Walking With the Angels - The Brian Clough Story Post #2
The light was fading as consciousness was lost, and very soon the footballing world would be mourning the loss of a legend. Brian Clough may well have been the greatest English manager of his generation, but to the people gathered round his death bed, he was much much more than a mere sporting personality, and the tears that were shed here were far more personal than those that would be shed around the world.
The light, which had faded to darkness, slowly came into view again, and Clough could feel himself rising, floating above his body. His family, the people he had loved were all gathered there weeping. He wanted to reach out to them, to comfort them, but he could not. He was no longer of this world, his time had come to depart and go where the living could not tread.
He'd had a good, successful life. He could have no complaints as he once more faded from conscious reality in the place that is oblivion. Brian Clough, legendary footballing genious, was gone forever from the physical realm. Unlike most people who died in the world, Clough would never be forgotten.
01-03-2005, 03:21 AM
Walking With the Angels - The Brian Clough Story Post #3
But look hereClough was almost screaming, I dont even believe in God. I dont want to go to Heaven, I dont want to go to Hell. I want to not exist. Thats the way it is, the way it should be. Anything else is just damn stupid
Moses, who was on gate duty that week, what with St Peter being away on holiday, sighed again. Parting the red sea had been much easier, and less hassle than explaining things. It wasnt always like this, most of the dead just accepted it, but there were always one or two who put up a struggle.
Now, now Brian. The very fact you're here must surely prove that there is an after life, and that this is where you are supposed to be. There's no point in arguing.
Cloughie, still mumbling and muttering, reluctantly followed Moses to a nice little cloud and sat down beside his Harp.
You'll like it here Moses assured him and hurriedly left. He wouldnt have to see that soul ever again, and his stint here would be over tomorrow and he could get back to the partying.
Clough though did not like it here. If this was Heaven, then he wished he had gone to Hell. It was draughty here, the TV only had one channel, on which God made his pronouncements all the time, and his Harp didnt work. Clough had been outspoken whilst alive, and he wasnt going to sit here quietly forever and take it. And he didnt.
The wheels of motion in eternity do, by their very nature turn slowly. Clough moaned to everyone and everything he met. His moaning met with some success. He was given a new Harp, a better cloud to live on, a set of wings. But despite this he still found something to moan about. Eventually, after three millenia, his moaning cut through all the red tape and he was finally granted an interview with God.
Now wook hewe God said, Make it quick, I havent got awl day to waste with twivial compwaints you know. I have a univewse to ignowe.
I frankly dont give a damn what you're doing. Clough faced up to the creator of the universe. I dont like it here, and I dont want to be here. If I have to be dead, fair enough, but I dont want to exist anymore. You're god, you can make me dissapear.
[i]Its simpwy not possible[/b] God informed him.
But you're God, you're almighty, you can do anything
That isnt weally twue God picked up a small silver box, and took a pinch of snuff. Even I am wimited by the was of physics you know. Once I have cweated a cweatuwe, I cannot uncweate them. Now, be off with you, I have much wowk to do.
But Clough didnt leave the presence of the Almighty. He waited and waited, until finally God said, Awe you stiwl hewe? I thought I towld you to weave? You awe becoming fwightfully annowying you know.
I'm not leaving till you fulfil my wequest. ernm request. Clough said stubbornly.
This is most tiwesome. Vewy well. I cannot meet youw wequest, but I will fow now send you back to Eawth. I weally an too tiwed to bothew.
And in a flash Brian Clough found himself back in a room he knew. But it wasnt quite where he might have expected.........
01-03-2005, 03:52 AM
Walking With the Angels - The Brian Clough Story Post #6
This was an office he knew. Sure it looked different, a fresh coat of paint, a new desk but this was where his managerial career had begun all those years ago. He was back at where he had begun. Yet somehow, this wasnt what he had expected. If he had expected anything, it was to cease existing. If not that, then to be brought back as himself, his weak and feeble body lying in hospital until he accepted the 'wisdom' of God.
Yet he was here. He was still, and this was what amazed him, 69 years old. But his body felt perfect. At least as perfect as it had for as long as he could remember. Medical tests later confirmed that he had the physique of a 25 year old, although his mind, his appearance was still that of 69.
The media had been amazed, not just at his recovery from illness, but at the very fact that he had gone back into football management. Clough, never one to be silenced, had felt confused and dazed, but if this was Gods idea of a joke, it was going to backfire. Brian Clough was not going to be the butt of anyone's jokes. If this was what it was going to be, then so be it. Clough would simply get on with the only thing he knew. Being successful.
01-03-2005, 03:20 PM
Walking With the Angels - The Brian Clough Story Post #8
If there was one thing Clough wasnt known for, it was subtlety. Although the Hartlepool squad was fairly small, nevertheless it was clear that some of these players were simply not good enough. Twelve players were called into Clough's office and told quite simply, You're all sh-it. Bugger off
Also on the way out were Darren Craddock to Hearts for £20,000 and Andy Jordan to Gateshead for £3,000. Joel Kitamirike, Simon Downer, Tom Williamson and Matthew Turner all came in on frees, whilst £3,000 was spent to bring Nottingham Forest reserve keeper Barry Roche to the club. The squad remained small, but Clough remained confident he could still perform miracles.
The Squad
Goalkeepers
Barry Roche (22) Ireland £3,000 signing from Nottm Forest, he becomes the number one choice between the sticks. Will never be a brilliant keeper, but should do for the time being.
Jim Provett (21) England He's not very good, but he's all we have.
Dimitrios Konstantopoulos (25) Greece Poor. Thats the best you can say about a player few people will be having on the back of their shirts.
Defence
Michael Barron (29) England He's not very good, is he?
Jack Ross (28) Scotland He's also not very good.
Hugh Roberston (29) Scotland Decent enough left back.
John Brackstone (19) England One of the youngsters who escaped the 'cull'. Doesnt mean hes any use though.
Joel Kitamirike (20) England Former Chelsea player, picked up on a free.
Simon Downer (22) England Just because we signed him doesnt mean he's any use.
Michael Nelson (21) England Could be decent. Probably wont be.
Mark Tinkler (29) England Actually isnt too bad a player.
Daniel Fox (18) England The best of the kids, he actually does seem to be a half decent player.
Gavin Strachan (25) Scotland With those ears, you'd think he'd be able to fly.
Matthew Turner (22) England Another signing. Another poor player.
Matty Robson (19) England Not very good really.
Richie Humphreys (26) England Average at best.
Darrell Clarke (26) England Pretty crap tbh.
Tom Williamson (19) England Could be decent.
Forwards
Adam Boyd (22) England Isnt very good.
Joel Porter (25) England Worse than Boyd.
Eifion Williams (26) Wales Debatable.
01-03-2005, 08:25 PM
Walking With the Angels - The Brian Clough Story Post #9
Clough didnt have long to wait to get stuck into his first match, a preseason friendly at Orient. Adam Boyd grabbed the only goal, and Daniel Fox put in an outstanding performance and there was a lot of reason to be pleased. Of course, it was early days, and draws with Partick and Ipswich were followed by 1-0 loss to Cambridge which if nothing else showed that the side was still needing a lot of work done to it. The final warm up game was a nice and easy 5-0 triumph over Hyde, and then it was on to the real thing.
A run of draws against Swindon, Luton and Blackpool was finally ended with a 2-0 defeat in Milton Keynes, and the side just didnt seem to be clicking. The League Cup 1st round at home to Tranmere finally provided Clough with his first competitive win back in charge, but the last game of August saw yet another draw, at home to Stockport, and things were not quite looking as they might have done. People were starting to wonder if Clough was not simply now too old to be successful....
01-04-2005, 01:12 PM
Walking With the Angels - The Brian Clough Story Post #10
Struggling to get results on the pitch, the transfer market seemed the obvious place to go. Wigan reserve midfielder Mike Flynn and Plymouth reserve midfielder Steve Adams were both brought in for £6000 each. Mozambique striker To will arrive in January from Jomo Cosmos for a £5000 fee after being granted a work permit.
On the pitch though, things were still not going quite as Clough would have wanted as September began with a goalless draw at Peterborough, the 8th draw in 10 league matches. At home to Walsall the draws were finally turned into a win in a dramatic match. Daniel Fox missed a 3rd minute penalty before opening the scoring on twenty three minutes, and in the second half a player from either side was red carded. Richie Humphrey's added a second in injury time and the win was secured.
In the League Cup, Stoke City proved to be too strong as they overwhelmed us 3-1 and that was that competition over and done with for this season. Another draw, 0-0, followed at home to Brentford, before a pretty poor 2-1 loss at Morecambe in the LDV trophy. More draws followed with Port Vale and then Barnsley, before finally things seemed to click in a great 3-0 win over Bournemouth, with goals from Williams, Strachan and Flynn.
Thoughts of the corner being turned though were soon dispelled as the month ended with draws against Chesterfield and Colchester. The team end October in a decent enough 12th place, but it could be a whole lot better and you can guarantee Clough will not be happy with so many draws.
Walking With the Angels - The Brian Clough Story 
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