Every Leeds United fan will know how many days Brian Clough lasted in charge at Elland Road, but it is fair to say he made years’ worth of impact in his 44-day stint.
Most have seen the film. The Michael Sheen adaptation of Clough telling the likes of Billy Bremner, Peter Lorimer, Johnny Giles and Jack Charlton to pick up all of their medals throw them in the bin for cheating.
You’ve won them all by cheating, is the famous phrase Clough used when introduced to the Leeds squad. A remarkable claim, and a claim that ultimately played a big part in Clough’s dismal stint as Leeds boss.
This is a man that masterminded success at Derby and became a bitter rival of Don Revie, before going to Nottingham Forest and as one of the best-ever managers in the history of English football.
Peter Taylor says Brian Clough tried to sell Leeds United hero
Back in 1980, Peter Taylor published a book entitled ‘With Clough By Taylor’ and in 2019, the book was re-published. On page 127, Taylor recalls of how Clough tried to sell a Leeds hero to Nottingham Forest.
Indeed, Taylor says he agreed to cash in on 1970 World Cup left-back Terry Cooper. At that point in 1974, Cooper had been in the Leeds first team for 14 years, clocking up well over 200 league appearances.
Taylor writes: “He tried to sell Terry Cooper. An outsider like Brian couldn’t have known of Cooper’s special place in the affections of Leeds United. He was an entertaining, attacking left-back who played for England in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
“The terraces idolised him and he was extraordinarily popular inside the club, so there was general outrage when Brian arranged to sell him to Forest for £75,000. The board intervened. Chairman Cussins said, ‘I want more information,’ Brian was called before the directors, and Cooper stayed.
Terry Cooper left Leeds United a year later to join Middlesbrough
Not long after Clough had agreed to sell Taylor to Forest, Cooper opted to leave Elland Road and moved to Middlesbrough where he clocked up more than 100 appearances and spent the next three seasons.
Cooper continued to play a further nine years after leaving Leeds with Bristol Rovers, Bristol City and even Doncaster before entering the world of management with both Bristol clubs, Birmingham and Exeter.
Clough’s 44-day reign ended because Leeds managed just one win in his eight games, but his decision to sell Cooper that ultimately saw the Leeds board intervene certainly did not help in winning fans over.
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