Robertson joins tribute to Clough

Published on Monday 27 September 2004 02:10

CELTIC assistant manager John Robertson was one of many ex-players who gathered at the City Ground yesterday to pay homage to former manager Brian Clough, who died on Monday at the age of 69 after suffering from stomach cancer.

Part of the side that won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest in 1979 and again in 1980, Robertson was joined by the likes of Peter Shilton, John McGovern and Trevor Francis before Forest’s 2-1 win over West Ham United as they paraded the trophies Clough won during his reign at the club.

Martin O’Neill’s No2 at Celtic set up the winner for Francis in the 1979 European final against Malmo and scored the only goal of the game against Hamburg as Clough’s side successfully defended the trophy the following year. Robertson was also joint-top scorer in Forest’s league triumph in 1978.

Other former Forest and Derby County players joined a crowd in Nottingham’s Old Market Square yesterday morning to remember Clough’s achievements. Highlights of his career were shown on a big screen and McGovern, who captained Forest during their glory years, addressed the crowd.

"The last time I stood on this balcony we brought back a very large gold cup from Europe," said McGovern. "Brian was a teacher, he taught players how to pass the ball, and told them to keep the ball on the floor and to respect authority. He was one of the greatest teachers of players the game has ever seen."

Frank Sinatra’s My Way was played from the sound system as the former heroes paraded the trophies and there was also a minute’s silence before the match at the City Ground. Many supporters turned up wearing green sweatshirts in memory of Clough’s favoured matchday attire. It seems the sell-out crowd had spent the week attempting to beg, steal and borrow anything green to wear as retailers across the city saw sweaters fly off the shelves.

The current crop of Forest players didn’t disappoint either. West Ham looked set to spoil the tribute day when Marlon Harewood scored after 58 minutes. But Paul Evans levelled with six minutes remaining, and then substitute striker Marlon King gave the hosts a dramatic winner in the final minute, when he curled home a shot from the edge of the box.

"I think the man himself would have been happy with that," said manager Joe Kinnear. "I did not need to motivate the players - the occasion did that."