Be Good, Love Brian: Growing up with Brian Clough

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He is doing so by using the proceeds to raise money for boys like he was. He has already given much of the book advance to charities supporting the teenage homeless and victims of domestic abuse. "Some good is going to come out of it which is very nice," he says. They said he had just done it for publicity and it would not be happening again." But they were wrong.

It is a study in society. The haves and have nots. It's a story of love and what it means to have it or not have it as a child. It's a story of belonging, escape, believing in magic and miracles and fate and whether you can ever truly escape where you are created.Over to the left, in the Leppings Lane end, Liverpool supporters are being lifted over the fences or being helped up to the second tier of the stand. The game comes to a standstill. I walk up the drive and tell Brian, who marches out, looking for the man. For the next three days, there are journalists and photographers in the garden. But it is clear that forgiveness must come from himself not the Clough family or anyone else. "They have told me on numerous occasions whenever I have met them that I need to forgive myself, let it go and move on. It is not them stopping me moving on, it is me. Craig Bromfield was just 13 years old when Brian Clough, on a whim, took him and his older brother Aaron in. I hope I can do that, the book has already benefitted 2 childrens charities and a homeless shelter.

Working for Simon in his shop, Craig found out that money was being taken by his colleague and friend. Instead of reporting it to Simon, he was persuaded not only to remain silent but take a cut, trying to justify it to himself on the basis that they were being underpaid. Craig Bromfield, who grew up with the football manager, recalls being with him on the most devastating day in the sport’s history

It was the catalyst for this book. "I started writing it as a thank-you letter to Mrs Clough and it just transformed." He asked permission to write it, but knows they are a private family. "A lot of people have said things that did not need to be said. I hope that I haven't.

Been looking forward to this since I was able to read a bit of a preview. Some of the shite you've had to overcome is ridiculous! Gorgeously moving, hilariously funny and incredibly insightful. Craig Bromfield’s beautifully written book about his life with Brian Clough is one you’ll never forget as there are laughs, tears and life lessons. It also solved lots of Christmas present dilemmas as I bought ten copies.” – Julie McAffrey, Daily Mirror For anyone growing up in the North East in the 80s it’s an incredible reminder of the time and landscape through a story of love, kindness, poverty and a chance life changing encounter on a Seaburn beach that you struggle to believe at times.This story is incredible. As a younger forest fan I only hear of Brian in stories told to me and this is by far the best one. What a lovely man he was and what a brilliant way to tell it from Craig, you can hear the regret he lives with in the way parts of the story are told but I’m sure Brian knows you were sorry and he’d have loved this story being told by you. Thank you for sharing this brilliant story. Soon enough, he was sitting in the dugout with Clough as Forest won two more League Cups. “Imagine what it’s like for someone to come from where I came from and suddenly be in the dressing room at Wembley on Cup final day, and to be surrounded by heroes,” Craig says. “I had goosebumps. The players made me feel like I was part of the team. I felt like a little king.” How do you follow life with Brian Clough? I thought I wanted success, money, a great house, and none of it’s filled the hole The tale itself is a fascinating one, his rough upbringing to a chance encounter that opens up a life so many young kids would dream of, but it's also just as much a story about simple human kindness given what the Clough family do for Craig.

When discovered by the Clough family, it was handled delicately. The authorities were not involved, there was even severance pay. I started it 16 years ago, but could never finish it,” Craig says. “The final chapter was too difficult.” Gradually, as the story unfolds, I begin to realise why. Usually, words tumbled out of Brian. One-liners, quotes from Sinatra, exchanges with Michael Parkinson or David Frost that could captivate a television audience. Speeches that inspired footballers to win European Cups and dark threats that would chill your blood.

Bromfield’s depiction of Clough rubber stamped that persona shown to the media but he also showed a softer side. The more charitable fatherly side. I’ll admit I was disappointed as Bromfield’s loyalties when tested landed with his friends rather than with the man who changed his life. There were various stages through the book, because of it being cathartic, where I was expecting to get more of a happy feeling but I still have not had it. I thought once I had the physical book in my hand I would get it. Maybe it will come on publication day."