Photo by Last Stop Okinawa at Pexels. 

I had an interesting conversation with the cultural historian and documentary maker Patrick Wright concerning the appeal of Cloughs’ personality type to the English and with Matt Connell (who is currently writing a book on Theodore Adorno) about his supposed authoritarianism. I’m not looking to reduce Clough into an easily manageable category which supports a certain theory, rather to explain the many ways through which he may be viewed.

Usually my writing involves nothing more than coming up with stories for random thoughts and consequently is quite an isolated and introverted experience. Doing the Clough book can be incredibly frustrating, particularly when trying to get into contact with ‘famous’ people. Often an interview is promised and then cancelled at the last minute. Often, I find myself completely ignored no matter how polite my enquiry – however I take this in good faith. I am entering a different type of world where I am at the bottom of the ladder and really can’t expect to be treated as anything other than second best until I have earned my spurs.

Fortunately the ‘ordinary people’ I have interviewed are fantastic. I have just received the greatest quote so far from a Deacon visiting the Church on the Corner near Goose Fair roundabout. ‘Brian Clough was a straight talker – just like the people in Bulwell. If you want straight talking go to Bullwell market on a Saturday morning.’ Priceless.

Next on my contact list is Elis Cashmore who recently wrote a post structuralist account of Beckham. I am interested in his views on how Clough is being fought over by those with a legitimate link e.g. Boro as a striker, Derby – Forest as manager etc.