For those of a Nottingham Forest persuasion, legends don’t get much bigger than Brian Clough.
The iconic manager, who led Forest to unprecedented success in the 1970s and ‘80s, is regarded as one of the most successful managers in the history of football.
As well as back-to-back European cup triumphs, Clough’s 18-year tenure at the City Ground was defined by domestic success too.
But for many, Clough’s personality off the pitch is as memorable as his achievements on it.
Over the years, many of Clough’s former players have shared funny stories about the great man that they either heard of or experienced themselves during their time at the club.
One man who loves nothing more than sharing a few hilarious Cloughy stories is former goalkeeper Mark Crossley.
The 55-year-old, who played for Forest between 1989 and 2000, has shared several brilliant stories about his former manager over the years.
We’ve picked out four of the best stories about Clough, as told by Crossley.
We’re only going to summarise the stories below, so don’t worry about any spoilers!
Just hop on YouTube to hear the stories in their entirety.
1. The Vinnie Jones and Wimbledon story
In the late 1980s, Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang' were one of the most feared sides in English football. With players such as Vinnie Jones and John Fashanu, they weren't to be messed with. However, that didn't stop a furious Clough making his feelings known about the team's dressing room music being too loud. If Clough was unhappy, he would say so in no uncertain terms. | Getty Images Photo: Getty
2. The Simon Clough Sunday League story
Crossley made his Forest debut in 1989, playing in wins against Liverpool and Newcastle United. However, shortly after this he was brought back down to earth thanks to Clough insisting he played, erm, slightly lower down the football pyramid. This story involves Crossley, Clough and his son Simon, who at the time ran a local Sunday league side. | Getty Images Photo: Getty
3. The slippers story
As a young apprentice, Crossley's entrepreneurial endeavours landed him in hot water with Clough. After flogging slippers to several first team players, Clough caught wind of Crossley's scheme and did not approve. However, the story ends with a classic Cloughy line. | Getty Images Photo: Getty