Brian Clough, Baseball Ground, May 1, 1971
Photograph by Roger Parker ©CLEVAMEDIA
Published in When Saturday Comes 217, March 2005

Clough, pictured at Derby in his photogenic prime, is in the press-room-cum-bar that became his inner sanctum at the Baseball Ground. Journalists such as John Sadler (on Clough’s left shoulder as always) were welcome to mingle and drink to the early hours while, as photographer Roger Parker recalls, Clough held court. “Clough would take on the journalists with his repartee at his impromptu press conferences and tell jokes.” This conviviality was beneficial for all parties. Parker captures the informal atmosphere and enjoyed such access up to Clough’s last game as Derby manager, when he travelled on the team bus to Ipswich.

The reporters have picked up the evening papers on the final Saturday of the 1970-71 season. One headline, wrongly it transpired, says Leeds Look Champion, but the big story is Dave Mackay’s last game. After signing in 1968 he had helped win promotion and was ever-present as skipper in 1970-71, but finishing ninth was a disappointment after coming fourth a year before. He was on his way to Swindon, but not before striking a deal – brokered by Clough and Derby chairman Sam Longson – that would enable him to return as coach when he finished playing. Unwittingly, Clough had lined up his own successor.

Clough’s closeness to the press was to backfire. His profile had rocketed on the back of his sharp-witted media appearances and Longson was riled. “This club is had becoming a sanctuary for journalists,” he told Clough. The security grill around the bar was pulled down and locked; Clough’s legendarily acrimonious parting became inevitable. Appropriately a member of the inner sanctum, local reporter Gerald Mortimer, typed Clough’s resignation.

Longson was quick to hire Mackay, who had to endure the “Bring back Clough” campaign and resentment from the players over the departure. When he emulated Clough’s title in his first full season in 1975 it was a cathartic moment: “A huge sense of relief and achievement swept over me. For the first time, I did not feel the hand of Brian Clough on my shoulder.” Mackay was one of the few to match Clough achievements. Most, like those here, had to make do with a good quote and a great picture.

Doug Cheeseman
Football Photography Writing

More about Roger Parker