A movie script ending 27/09/04 | by TrickyMatt

The life and times of Brian Clough were celebrated yesterday, Sunday September 26, 2004. The day was to unfold in such a way as to move many to tears, bring broad smiles, and finally provide a moment of divine inspiration. It would be nice to think that some higher force was in operation today as hope of a Forest win had seemingly disappeared.

On arrival to the ground, I eased my way to the tributes which had been left in honour of Brian. The experience was very sobering indeed. The impact of a person on a community is always reflected when they have sadly passed away. It was also nice to see messages from supporters of other clubs too, showing the loss is something keenly felt by football fans far and wide. I had my green jumper on as did thousands of others which created a unique atmosphere. There was a real sense of unity emanating from the stands. 

The appearance of the trophies coming onto the pitch was a great moment and one which reminded us all of the glories which the great man brought us. This certainly brought a lump to my throat. In particular, the sight of the League Cup in its Littlewoods Cup guise was of interest to me. It was one sunny day in 1989 that as an excited little boy, I made my first visit to Wembley to watch us beat Luton Town to claim the trophy. Thanks Brian. 

The arrival of former Forest players was another fine gesture. As they stood around the centre circle acknowledging the crowd, it would have been interesting to hear what Brian himself was thinking of it all. The minute's silence that soon followed was impeccably served and very moving.

The game started and I wondered whether having paid my respects I should go home. This thought remained well into the second half as Forest served up a woeful performance. The contrast between then and now could not have been more stark. I wonder what the ex-players thought of it all as Forest struggled to string three passes together with any kind of urgency. Paul Gerrard, Wes Morgan, James Perch and Paul Evans were the only players from the starting eleven to leave the pitch having played well. Perch's error in the build-up to the opening goal was an unfortunate moment for the young defender, but the way in which he dusted himself off and picked his game up afterwards was an encouraging sign.

West Ham didn't impress me much. A better side would have stuck a few past us, but the Hammers seemed content to rest on the one-nil lead they had earned through Marlon Harewood. They must have thought they weren't in too much danger at the other end! The struggling David Johnson never looked like scoring to be honest and I was resigned to another defeat in this nightmare start to a season.

The introduction of Eugen Bopp for the ineffective Eoin Jess proved to be the turning point. Clearly talented, Bopp has found himself in the Forest wilderness. Now perhaps he will get another chance. As soon as he came on, he started to do the simple things. As John McGovern stated at the ceremony earlier on, Clough encouraged players to get it down and pass it. Suddenly, a couple of neat triangles sprang up and West Ham, for the first time, looked like conceding. Paul Evans' strike was fantastic. Drilled low and hard, the City Ground erupted and the relief of the players was reflected in the wild celebrations which followed. Not content with that, a certain someone was looking down on us with fondness as Marlon King didn't do as I expected - i.e. put the ball in the Trent - but bent it beautifully into the West Ham net past the despairing dive of Steven Bywater. Incredible.

We never looked like scoring, let alone winning yet we managed to pull it off. The power of football! Brian loved football just like the rest of us, and what happened today illustrated why we love it so much. At times frustrating then suddenly amazing. It was a fitting end to an emotional day, a real movie script ending and you know what, Brian would have loved it!