By Mark Rasdall![]() So here we are then - Leeds United have won three games in a row, apparently secured new investment in the club and have a home game against Chelsea coming up: almost like old times. This weekend we visit Derby County, managed by Nigel, son of Brian. The life of Brian was controversial and, of course, is inextricably linked with LUFC history. 'The Damned United' brought to a new generation the events of 1974 and the infamous '44 days' but the book and film didn't really capture the intensity of matches between Derby and Leeds in the early Nineteen Seventies - especially at the old Baseball Ground. Derby's intentions under Clough were much clearer than the mud they rolled in to cynically disrupt our passing game and to provoke us into reactions to appalling fouls. They called us 'dirty' but my word they were filthy on the inside and outside too. When Clough tried to endear himself to the Leeds United players by allegedly telling them to throw their medals in the bin because they'd earned them by cheating, he forgot just how uncompromising his own teams were. Yes Derby and, later, Forest had players of great skill, but that picture of our own Billy Bremner being literally picked up by the Derby captain, Dave Mackay, should not be forgotten either. I remember well the Francis Lee bout with Norman Hunter, the Roger Davies 'super sub' moment and, of course, Archie Gemmill who we never did seem to be able to shake off. Maybe a new chapter in our rivalry is about to start? A different stadium with a different member of the Clough family awaits us but, with our own new owners and a new-found belief from the players we have maybe we will leave that place with pride. Sometimes a reminder of where we once were as well as where we want to be again can make the difference. Brian Clough would certainly have had a dossier on us, every bit as much as Don Revie would have had on such reviled opposition. I wonder if they're still fighting too?
5 Comments
Tare
6/12/2012 04:26:08 am
Life of Brian a gesture for the Monty Python block buster? But two great managers and I have all respect for both of them. Personally I think that Mr. Clough was wrong manager in the wrong time for the Whites. Tare
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Steve
6/12/2012 07:04:32 am
Yes it's always forgotten when talking about Clough and Leeds that he signed Willie Carling, Kenny Burns, Larry Lloyd, Archie Gemmil, Roy Keane, Stuart 'Psycho' Pearce, Dave Mackay etc etc.
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steve
6/12/2012 11:15:52 am
Pretty sure he was captain of Spurs at the time and Billy's Scotland captain. I have that picture framed and mounted on the wall at the front door. It is my take on the Leeds "Keep Fighting" in the changing rooms. Wife thinks I'm sad!
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6/12/2012 03:46:42 pm
Yes you're right Steve and not sad at all! I used it as an illustration of the kinds of players Clough signed - it wasn't all silky skills by any means. Thanks for the comment and let's hope they hate us even more following a win tomorrow...
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amoy clough
30/5/2015 03:29:26 am
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