‘An Evening with Clough’ continued – Part 2
17/10/05 | by Rich Fisher

In Issue 2 of the LTLF Fanzine, we brought you an exclusive report from last month's 'Evening with Nigel Clough' event at Nottingham's Cabaret nightclub. As promised, we continue our round-up with even more highlights in three parts. Click here for part one or subscribe to the Fanzine to read the original report.

What was it like playing at Wembley with Forest?

Well it was always special winning the trophies, whatever they were. It was a big disappointment though that we didn’t win the FA Cup in 1991. We actually thought we could’ve won it the year after, but we went out in the quarter finals at Portsmouth after Crossley threw the ball into his own net. We later found out he’d been out in Barnsley the night before and ended up smashing a window a window – that endeared him to the rest of the lads! He actually did that sort of thing a couple of times. There was also a time when we went to Coventry, when we ended up losing our two-year unbeaten record in the League Cup. We lost 5-4 that night, having come back from being 4-0 down to 4-4… and he was chucking them in for fun that night as well, I seem to remember! Who knows, there might have been even more trips to Wembley if Crossley had looked after himself a bit better. Saying that, he’s still ion the bloody Premiership with Fulham while the likes of me are on the knackers' heap!

Do you ever look back on the 1991 FA Cup final and wonder how it might have turned out had there been a different referee on the day?

Good old Roger Milford! One thing I always remember about him that day is that while we were doing our bloody warm-ups, he was doing his hair! He was more interested in how he looked that how he performed – so it’s no wonder he couldn’t spot two of the worst tackles anyone’s ever seen. He actually assesses referees now, would you believe? We had him doing that at a Burton game a couple of years ago – I did try to bring up the ’91 final with him, but he wasn’t too keen to talk about it! And he still looked a ponce, even today!

Who was the best player you played with at Forest?

Stuart was up there – not for his skill or ability necessarily, but for his total presence and the way he played the game. Steve Hodge and Neil Webb were a brilliant combination in midfield as well. And Johnny Metgod was a joy to watch too. Des Walker as well, you can’t ignore him. There were so many good players – different kinds of players as well. And quite a few crap ones as well!

Did you go out with Des Walker after his testimonial game – the night when he infamously ended up in the slammer?

No, unfortunately! I’m not quite sure of the details, but I do have two rules when it comes to Des – never go out with him when he’s had a drink, and never go out with him when he’s in his car either! He’s a lunatic behind the wheel! One of the funniest stories actually about Des was an incident at Tottenham one year. Des had got whacked by someone and was writhing about in agony on the floor. Liam O’Kane came on to treat him and he was like ‘We’re going to have to get you off – let’s get a stretcher.’ At the time, Gazza was loitering nearby, and he shouted over ‘No need for a stretcher Liam – I’ll grab his legs, you get his teeth!’ That was Gazza for you! Des wasn’t too pleased though...!

What memories do you have of your international career?

I remember the first time when I met with the England squad, I arrived to find out I was rooming with Bryan Robson. And that was a nightmare for me! A few weeks before you see, Forest had played Manchester United at Old Trafford, and when we had the team talk before the game, the manager’s eyes were scanning the dressing room. As players you’d all be sat there thinking ‘Please don’t pick on me’ – but that day he did single me out. And I don’t know if he knew I was about to be called up for England, but he just stared at me and said ‘You – go and kick the England captain.’ And that was it – I spent 90 minutes running round like a twat trying to kick Bryan Robson… who wasn’t even in my position! And then a few weeks later, I’m sharing a bloody room with him! I was thinking ‘He’s going to kick the shit out of me when he gets into this room!’ Fortunately though he went off for a few beers, and I pretended to be asleep when he got in!