Brian Clough: The hilarious story about when a young Clive Tyldesley got a telling off from Brian Clough

When it comes to Brian Clough stories, we here at Nottingham World simply can’t get enough of them.

Clough’s charisma is something we rarely see in the modern game, which makes stories about his management style back in the day even more brilliant.

Manager of Nottingham Forest between 1975 and 1993, Clough’s firm stance with players, supporters and the media created a culture of respect.

Considering his numerous achievements at the City Ground over the course of 18 years, there could be no doubt that this forthright management served its purpose and then some.

The aura around Clough left some slightly nervous when being in his company for the first time, which can certainly be said for a young radio commentator by the name of Clive Tyldesley.

Clive Tyldesley receives a telling off from Brian Clough

In the mid 1970s, Tyldesley, who would go on to become ITV’s senior commentator for 22 years, started out at Radio Trent after graduating from university.

Tyldesley’s role involved him travelling with the Forest squad to home and away games.

One of Forest’s first away games of the 1975/76 season involved a trip down to London, and as usual a fresh-faced Tyldesley was intending to travel on the train to the capital.

After boarding the train at Nottingham station bright and early, Tyldesley was all set for the day ahead.

About 15 mins prior to the scheduled departure, Clough arrived and wasn’t very pleased with the commentator’s attire.

We’ll let Tyldesley pick the story up from here.

“He stood over me and said ‘young man, good morning. You’re very, very welcome to be with the Nottingham Forest party, but when you travel with Nottingham Forest, you wear a tie.

“I said ‘oh, I’m ever so sorry Mr Clough, I won’t let this happen again.’ But he continued to look at me and stand in the same position!

“After two or three seconds he said ‘young man, you’re very, very welcome to be with the Nottingham Forest party, but when you travel with Nottingham Forest, you do wear a tie.’

“So now I apologise profusely and said ‘look, next time I come I’ll bring a selection of ties and you can choose’, but he didn’t move.

“And for the third time he said ‘‘young man, you’re very, very welcome to be with the Nottingham Forest party, but when you travel with us, you wear a tie.’

“He then put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a £1 note, put it in my hand and said ‘train goes in 10 minutes’.

“So I got up and ran down the platform, out into the middle of Nottingham, dashed down the hill from the bridge to a gent’s outfitters, threw the £1 note on the counter and grabbed the first tie I could find.

“So I ran back, put it on and about five minutes into the journey he came down, looked over and said ‘very smart today!’.”