Green Jumper

To mark a Green Jumper milestone (downloads in 80 countries) we're launching Green Jumper Gems: occasional bitesize magical memories. Our first 'Gem' is fittingly with Cloughie striker Nigel Jemson. Here, he recalls the build-up to the League Cup Final in 1990, when he scored the winning goal for Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest against Oldham. The pre-match diet included steak and chips - and chocolate.

"I thought it was one of the players trying a prank on me," says Nigel Jemson as he recalls the phone call which changed his life. The voice on the other end of the line said, "It's Brian Clough here, I understand you want to sign for me." The former striker describes what happened next in this entertaining chat with Green Jumper host Marcus Alton. This episode is a trailer for the full, exclusive interview in which Nigel talks about life behind the scenes with Cloughie - the man he describes as "the best football manager who ever lived."

“Forget about the football - which he was fantastic at - my favourite memory of him is his humour. He was very funny.” European Cup winner Ian Bowyer shares his memories of working with Brian Clough in this entertaining chat with pod host Marcus Alton. Bowyer doesn’t take part in many interviews these days, so we were delighted to hear his stories and recollections of life behind-the-scenes with the Miracle Manager. This episode also includes a special discount code for Green Jumper listeners who purchase Marcus' latest Clough book, Brian Clough The Lost Tapes, which is supporting good causes.

"It was the best decision I ever made." That's Ian Bowyer's verdict when looking back at an FA tribunal shortly after Brian Clough's arrival at Nottingham Forest in 1975. Bowyer was out of contract and Cloughie had to go to the hearing at the FA's headquarters in London. The midfielder decided to stay at the City Ground and became a vital part of the side that won the league title and twice lifted the European Cup. "He was the master at preparing you for matches," recalls Bowyer during this fascinating chat with pod host Marcus Alton.

Here's a great collection of Brian Clough stories from the Green Jumper podcast during 2023. This compilation includes extracts from interviews with Cloughie legends such as John Robertson, Viv Anderson and Archie Gemmill. There are also memories from journalists who interviewed Cloughie. "He was the master of mind games, long before Alex Ferguson came along," says one of the TV sports presenters. If you've enjoyed listening to the Green Jumper, please consider buying an item to support us and other good causes by visiting our Clough shop at brianclough.com. Alternatively you can make a small donation at our ko-fi page. Thanks for your support!

When TV sports presenter Gary Newbon suffered a stroke, he received a special ‘Get Well’ message - a handwritten note from Brian Clough and his wife Barbara. Their close working relationship went back as far as Cloughie’s days at Derby and continued throughout his time with Nottingham Forest. Brian always remained loyal to Newbon, ensuring he got the interviews he needed - even when it was straight after a 4-0 defeat. Newbon paved the way for the instant post-match TV interviews that we take for granted these days. His new book looks back at an amazing career spanning 50 years. In this fascinating chat with pod host Marcus Alton, Gary explains the impact Clough had on his career and why he’ll always be grateful for the support of the Miracle Manager.

Author Marcus Alton tells the story behind the book Brian Clough The Lost Tapes. There's also a chance to win a signed copy of the book which lifts the lid on a treasure trove of Cloughie stories. Brian Clough The Lost Tapes is supporting two good causes. Signed copies are available at the Cloughie shop.

Brian Clough gave him a peck on the cheek on live television. And now sports broadcaster Gary Newbon has recalled that memorable kiss in our latest pod. Cloughie always remained loyal to Newbon, ensuring he got the interviews he needed - even when it was straight after a 4-0 defeat. Newbon paved the way for the instant post-match TV interviews that we take for granted these days. His new book looks back at an amazing career spanning 50 years. This pod is the trailer for the full interview.

When Brian Rice made his debut for Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest on a Tuesday night in September 1985, it came as a big surprise to the Scottish midfielder. He thought he was going with the squad to Anfield just for a bit of experience. "It was completely out of the blue," says Rice. "To make your debut against Liverpool at Anfield was something really, really special." After the match, which Forest lost, Clough gave the team four days off. He told them not to report for duty until the following Sunday, when they faced Leicester City away. For Rice, it seemed strange to have all that time off without training. "The lads said, 'Don't say anything, just turn-up on Sunday.'" Forest beat Leicester 3-0, with Rice on the scoresheet. "He had his own unique way - the Brian Clough way - and it worked," Rice tells pod host Marcus Alton. It's one of many great Cloughie stories the former Scottish international recalls in this entertaining episode.

Brian Clough’s unique way of working came as quite a surprise to his young signing, Brian Rice. “He would close the physio’s door and tell the physio to take the week off and the injured to come back when they were fit. He locked the gym - he didn’t like us doing gym work.” Each day was different, or “Guess What’s Happening Day,” as Rice describes it in his chat with Green Jumper host Marcus Alton. “He had his own unique way - the Brian Clough way - and it worked.” Rice recalls some wonderful Cloughie stories in this teaser for the full episode.

Archie Gemmill is perfectly placed to talk about the rollercoaster ride of working with the legendary Brian Clough. Gemmill won two league titles with Cloughie, at Derby County and Nottingham Forest, before later becoming a confidante of Old Big 'Ead as part of his Forest coaching staff. In this fascinating chat with pod host Marcus Alton, the former Scottish international talks about: There’s humour, reflection and - ultimately - praise from the former midfield maestro as he recalls special times with the Miracle Manager.

Archie Gemmill won two league titles with Brian Clough, at Derby County and Nottingham Forest, before later becoming a confidante of Cloughie as part of his Forest coaching staff. In this fascinating chat recorded at an East Midlands sports club with pod host Marcus Alton, Gemmill talks about: There’s humour, reflection and - ultimately - praise from the former midfield maestro as he recalls special times with the Miracle Manager.

Former England defender Viv Anderson recalls some brilliant Brian Clough stories in this entertaining interview with pod host Marcus Alton. From a 'Clough kiss' before a match, to breaking Cloughie's curfew after winning the European Cup. Plus Viv talks about the inspiring story of 'Local Heroes' - the feature length documentary film of how three Nottingham lads (Viv, Tony Woodcock and Garry Birtles) beat the odds to reach the pinnacle of club football and achieve worldwide fame. 'Local Heroes' is a fascinating footballing story which takes a nostalgic look at the personal stories behind Cloughie's European glory days. It's available on DVD, blu-ray and digital.

Colin Barrett will always be remembered for scoring one of the greatest goals in Brian Clough's European Cup glory days. As well as recalling that wonderful volley against Liverpool, Colin talks about his memories of working with Cloughie and playing alongside John Robertson. In this full-length episode, Colin also tells pod host Marcus Alton about what happened when he went into Cloughie's office to ask for a pay rise. The result was classic Cloughie! There's also the chance to win a book signed by Colin.

It was an emotional farewell as Brian Clough retired from football management in May 1993. His managerial career included two league titles, two European Cups, four League Cups and a host of other trophies, plus many Manager of the Month awards. In this bonus episode, host Marcus Alton hears from a fan who joined Cloughie on the pitch after his final home league match, and another fan who was invited into his office following his last game (a reserve fixture) at the City Ground.

"Bob Paisley slammed the door of the dressing room - he said I can't even win the toss against this lot!" When Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest beat European Champions Liverpool in the first round of the European Cup in 1978, even the Merseysiders' boss Paisley tipped Forest to win the trophy. In this bonus edition of the Green Jumper, host Marcus Alton hears from Forest legends John Robertson, Colin Barrett, Tony Woodcock and Garry Birtles, who recall that momentous victory - and the story behind it.

Colin Barrett scored one of the greatest goals in Brian Clough's European Cup glory days. As well as recalling that wonderful volley against Liverpool, Colin talks about his memories of working with Cloughie and playing alongside John Robertson. In this trailer for the forthcoming full interview with host Marcus Alton, Colin also tells the story of what happened when he went into Cloughie's office to ask for a pay rise. The result was classic Cloughie!

From his first interview with Cloughie ("Yes, I was definitely nervous - I was meeting a legend") to their last emotional meeting ("I was on the verge of tears"), former TV sports reporter Dennis Coath has a wealth of Clough memories. "There was no point in having a list of questions ready - you'd have to rip them up!" says Dennis as he recalls interviewing the Miracle Manager. Dennis looks back at his eventful career in journalism in an entertaining new book: 'Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poo' which is published by Olympia.

"Cloughie was the master of mind games, long before Alex Ferguson. You never quite knew what to expect when you went to interview him. "Sometimes you couldn't get away - and he'd be telling you all sorts of stories." Dennis Coath is a former TV sports reporter who has some great memories of Brian Clough. The Miracle Manager kept Dennis on his toes for more than 20 years! "There was no point in having a list of questions ready - you'd have to rip them up!" says Dennis in the trailer for our latest Green Jumper pod. Dennis looks back at his eventful career in journalism in an entertaining new book: 'Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poo' which is published by Olympia.

Brian Clough loved watching John Robertson play football. "Give him a ball on a football pitch and he was an artist - the Picasso of our game," said Clough. In this exclusive interview for the Green Jumper, John Robertson recalls those magical days playing for the Miracle Manager. "I just wanted to please him," says Robbo, who set-up the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup Final and scored the only goal in the final a year later. "Brian Clough was a genius, without a shadow of a doubt. I was proud to play for him." The Green Jumper is hosted by the editor of the tribute website brianclough.com, Marcus Alton.