Episode 62

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Published on:

4th Nov 2023

Clough Stories - Brian Rice

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.

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About the Podcast

Green Jumper
Stories from the Brian Clough era
The official Brian Clough tribute podcast by youngman@brianclough.com.

Great guests, memories and stories from the Brian Clough era.

Plus competitions with the chance to win exclusive Cloughie prizes make this podcast series In The Top One.

About your host

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Marcus Alton

I'm the editor of the tribute website brianclough.com and author of several books about the Miracle Manager. I was also the driving force behind the campaign for a bronze statue of Brian Clough in Nottingham and spearheaded the efforts to get a knighthood, presenting a petition at 10 Downing Street.