The Damned United

The first thing you can do is chuck all your medals and caps... ..and all your pots and pans ... Throw them in a bin, because you won them all by cheating.

"We are now going to win in a better way.”

Evoked and countless fond memories of the late great Brian Clough are unleashed with the release of The Damned United, played brilliantly by Michael Sheen and based on the fictional book by David Peace – which highlights Clough’s volcanic relationship and inability to win the loyalty and support of Leeds players loyal to Don Revie.

Brylcreamed and red cheeked – Old Big Ead was the greatest manager England never had. He would never have made it. His outspoken nature, wit, humour, and arrogance saw to that. But it was those exact qualities that endeared him to the people that mattered – the fans.

Cloughie – lest we are unaware, took football into showbusiness. The nearest we have to him today is Jose Mourinho. The extraordinary film flicks between Cloughie’s 44 disastrous days in charge of Don Revie’s Leeds and his miracle stint as boss at Derby County, where he won the league title and reached the semis of the European Cup.

After being sacked by Chairman Longson (Jim Broadbent) and the Derby County board, Clough all but seals a move to become boss at moneybags Brighton & Hove Albion. Following a verbal agreement with the Brighton chairman, Clough takes a holiday break, where he is persuaded to make a U turn and become newly installed England boss Don Revie’s successor at Leeds United. The film also poignantly focuses on attachment to Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), as well as his loathing for Don Revie (Colm Meaney).

Clough, his decision to take the helm at a team he despised, to replace his abhorred nemesis Revie, sitting in his chair, banning all talk of him is one of football’s most enthralling naratives.

Many will understandably state and agree that the film is for certain football fans only – particularly those with interests in leeds, all things Clough and 70’s football.

Norman (Bites yer legs) Hunter, the iconic Leeds and England hardman offered an honest summation and opinion at the premiere of the film; “Watching The Damned United, I found myself feeling very protective towards the memory of Brian Clough, Which is a bit strange because for most of his 44 days at Leeds United he was trying to buy Colin Todd to replace me.”

“Even though Clough turned out to be a disastrous appointment at Elland Road, only a fool would fail to acknowledge his greatness as a manager and I am not sure his qualities are done justice by the film.”

The film has been snubbed by the Clough family, who were upset at the book as well.

The Damned United is showing at the Vue cinema in Dagenham, Dagenham Leisure Park, Cook Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 6UQ.