On hearing the news, FA Chairman Geoff Thompson said: "On behalf of The FA, I would like to express my deepest sadness at the passing away of Brian Clough earlier today.

"Brian was not only a unique figure in the game but one of the most successful managers that we have ever known. We will miss his company, his character and his insight.

"This is a great loss to football, but we will always remember his considerable contribution to the game in this country.

"Our thoughts and sympathy are with Brian's family at this time."

'Cloughie' was such a great manager that his playing career is sometimes overlooked.

He was actually a swashbuckling centre-forward who played twice for England, against Wales and Sweden in 1959.

He scored an astonishing 197 goals in 213 League matches for Middlesbrough and followed that with 54 in 61 for Sunderland.

He also played for England B and England Under-23s and represented the Football League.

But 'Old Big Head', as he liked to call himself after receiving the OBE, will always be remembered for his sensational period as a club manager.

He won the League Championship twice with Derby County (in 1972 and 1975) before taking over at Nottingham Forest.

Forest, then in the Second Division, were League champions within three years and went on to win the European Cup twice.

English football has lost one of its greatest characters.

Brian Howard Clough - Factfile

Player

Middlesbrough FC: 1955-1961

  • 197 goals in 213 league games

Sunderland FC: 1961-1964

  • 54 goals in 61 league games

England caps: 1959

  • v Wales (Ninian Park); v Sweden (Wembley)

Management

Hartlepool: October 1965 - May 1967
Derby County: June 1967 - October 1973

  • 1968-69: Division Two champions
  • 1971-72: League champions
  • 1972-73: European Cup semi-finalists

Brighton And Hove Albion: November 1973 - July 1974
Leeds United: 44 days in 1974
Nottingham Forest: January 1975 - May 1993

  • 1976-77: Division Two promotion
  • 1977-78: League champions, League Cup winners
  • 1978-79: European Cup, League Cup, League runners-up
  • 1979-80: European Cup, European Super Cup, World Club finalists, League Cup finalistsd
  • 1980-81: European Super Cup finalists, World Club finalists
  • 1988-89: League Cup winners, Simod Cup winners
  • 1989-90: League Cup winners
  • 1990-91: FA Cup finalists
  • 1991-92: Zenith Data Cup winners, League Cup finalists