Trevor Francis and John Roberston talk Brian Clough and 'I Believe In Miracles'

Football legends Trevor Francis and John Robertson reflect on their memories of Brian Clough and the heyday of Nottingham F.C., as well as their involvement in the new documentary, 'I Believe In Miracles'

[@nicolamcguinness8689]

Rest in peace Trevor Francis

[@trevorgough]

From a villa fan....he was a class act.

[@ja-ks8dh]

Nottingham Forest 77,'78, 79, 80 is the greatest sporting story of all time. Period.

[@darrenwarby32]

I live in Spain and cut David Needhams hair a few times . I asked him who was the best player in that great Forest team . He said without a doubt John Robertson .

[@anastasiaburke6206]

Trevor was a great player and manager loved him at Wednesday. John Robertson for me was the best player in Europe from 1978 to 1982 he was brilliant 🎉

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

As a neutral football fan I'd like to thank Clough, Taylor, Forest and their fans for breaking up the dominance and incredibly dull period when Liverpool ruled England. Forest and the likes of Villa were a breath of fresh air and because of that, were supported by every neutral fan up and down this country in the late 70's and early 80's. RIP Trevor Francis, KRO. Thank you and god bless 🙏

[@wonderhero4375]

Nottm Forest. Buried in the 2nd Division. A few years later. Champions of England. Another year later, Champions of Europe. Thank you Brian Clough. Absolute genius. I so miss him.

[@steaks652]

Unbelievable achievement, and done without bloody cheating.

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@steaks652 Clough couldn't do it without Taylor though. Once they fell out and Taylor left Forest went into a decline. So it was a genius management team not genius Clough.

[@steaks652]

@@CB-xr1eg, shut up Bindy poos, you never seen a game in your life, don't try mugging me off, I know more about the game then you will ever know. Wanker.

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@steaks652 "Bindy poos" ? God what are you, 6 years old? Go tidy your room and get off the computer sonny. Incidentally, I wasn't trying to "mug" you, just giving you some facts. Look at Clough's record without Taylor. Its distinctly average and not the record of a genius. Btw, you signed off as "Wanker", is that your real name?

[@steaks652]

@@CB-xr1eg, you are a boring bastard, fuck off with your bullshit.

[@andrewb2475]

Under Brian Clough's management John Robertson became one of the best and most feared wingers in world football...............without Cloughie that would never have happened.

[@Gaelforced]

Two absolute Gents, on and off the field.....manners personified. Clearly well brought up.They are what people call legends.

[@5dicky]

pp

[@garsm2290]

Really hard to watch this without a tear or two - great team, great organisation, great spirit, no overinflated stars, simple ball to feet football ... and a little bit of magic ..... ah, Cloughie.

[@kennyburnsfan]

John Robertson and Trevor Francis were MAGNIFICENT. Proud to have watched them play at the peak of their powers.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Trevor should have played for England more, he was one of the best ever English players.

[@dlamiss]

@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 Had a lot of injuries sadly. He even missed the 1980 final through a long term injury. Signing for Man City wasnt a great career move

[@frankford1115]

Clough loved Robertson. Rightly so. What a player!

[@robinstevenson1098]

The Malmo cross sublime! As is Francis’s timing and commitment! Great days

[@paulrimmer2853]

I spoke to an Italian Professor at Liverpool Uni who said that Brian Clough performed the biggest miracle in the history of football in taking NF to two European titles in no time.

[@lordmushington5964]

It's not an electrifying interviewer. He's as exciting as mould.

[@stevemorris6855]

I was there for Trevor's Birmingham home debut, he scored, in off the bar , just below where we stood. Grown men had a little tear in their eyes, everybody knew we'd seen something very special that day. Legend. That fat bloke was good too. Bluenose

[@billybigtime2808]

I’m a Man Utd fan but could listen to those two talk all night I’m privileged to have seen Clough and Forrest in there pomp live, apart from Leeds we all love Clough

[@CB-xr1eg]

Forest*

[@martynhanson]

After the 3-3 draw against Cologne I recall Clough saying 'we only need 1'

[@ericgeorge5483]

Two great players, legends of the game and as for Clough and Taylor, what they achieved with limited resources is nothing short of astonishing.

[@flyboy2880]

John Robertson, now there was a player.

[@alanlittle3941]

RIP Trevor Francis 😢

[@vantheman1244]

Brian Clough gave John Robertson the belief. Clough told Robertson how good he was, and put him in the right position out wide on the left. That is why he was a great manager. He was hard, but at the same time he gave his players belief and consequently they had confidence and played for him. One note; Clough and Taylor together were a thing of genius.

[@robinstevenson1098]

Robboi was a nightmare for a right back( the right footed defender, could be midfield) and for the guy inside. Always took two and didn’t work a lot.

[@JJMcfee1970]

In a time when tackles could end careers , John Robertson made them all look like total mugs

[@thomasadams3082]

Never realised how good a player Trevor Francis was until I watched him for Rangers at the end of his career....brilliant.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

We was brilliant in his teens and twenties. An absolute legend at Birmingham.

[@kailashpatel1706]

@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 He was a better goal scorer at Birmingham than Forest as he was played in his central attacking role not on the right..

[@davidturner6798]

It really was a fairytale time, great memories of a great time and a couple of great managers, Brian and Peter, it will never be done again, superb people.

[@RHP-pw8xt]

Excellent documentary, recommended to all. Cloughie was special, but they players decided to ride the train to the end of the line as well y'know... all credit to them for rising to the challenge.

[@skyjuke2006]

Sampdoria fans love you, Trevor! R.i.p 💙🤍♥️🖤🤍💙

[@johnhanson5943]

I remember that era well as a boy in Yorkshire - not far from Middlesbrough. We were proud of Brian Clough as kids. Also, in those days we were all still British - also at football - and more local. A better time. Wonderful stuff. John Robertson was real class. The best British winger ever.

[@steveengland4162]

I remember buying my baby brother a Bib that said "I'm a better dribbler than Robbo" on it :-) Robertson was an amazing player with a natural left foot - a true Forest Legend.

[@Tpjdavies]

Steve England His left foot was great but he took corners and penalties with his right foot.

[@frankmachin5438]

He was like Ryan Giggs but with 2 feet

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@frankmachin5438 So Giggs only has one foot? He's done remarkably well if that's the case.

[@frankmachin5438]

Clive Bindley - a lot of great players were one footed - Maradonna is one, Puskas was another; their non preferred foot was just for balance. Anyway Clive I have you pinned as a troll so good day sir.

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@frankmachin5438 No mate just having a laugh, sorry you have no humour.

[@Vortigan07]

For a little while, John Robertson was the best player in his position in Europe...arguably the best player in Europe in *any* position!

[@robinstevenson1098]

Certainly the guy you didn’t want to see in the other team. Maybe same thing

[@willbee6785]

Legends talking about a legend. Brilliant. Great player insight.

[@mikeirwin8142]

Met Robbo when he had his pub outside Nottingham, some of the Clughie stories were hilarious.

[@jackmeough6338]

I used to get the Barton bus from Leicester to watch that Forest team every home game. I never knew until I read Robbo's autobiography, that he was scouted as a schoolboy by Forest and was already on the books when Clough and Taylor arrived. If Forest had a network like that in those days, imagine what the big clubs have now. Best player, week in, week out, I've ever seen. 2 European cups to show for it.

[@frankmachin5438]

When Clough arrived, Robbo, Viv Anderson, Tony Woodcock, Martin O’Neil, Ian Bowyer we’re already there. He inspired them to become great players in a great team.

[@geoffpoole483]

Robbo and Martin O'Neil were on the transfer list when Clough arrived. The transformation of john Robertson is testimony to Clough's ability to get the best out of players.

[@frankmachin5438]

Geoff Poole Yes it’s actually bloody mind boggling when you think of it - 2nd division nobodies were the nucleus of a side he took to dual European champions within the space of just a few years. And amongst that nucleus was a fat little bloke who his team mates reckon for about 4 years was one of the best players in Europe - “Giggs but with 2 feet”.

[@frankmachin5438]

Hamish Munroe - it would appear Clive is a) a troll, b) a pedant, or c) on the spectrum.

[@peteWxM1970]

I love ❤️ the forest story so much.love to watch earlier clough interviews in his prime when he was younger.the nostalgia is beautiful.I admire Nigel’s career too as to be in Bryan’s shadow he done so well playing and in managing a small crowd club like burton on a shoestring budget in the championship.

[@richardwalker1880]

John ROBERTSON is a Legend and a genius he always scored from the penalty and Robbo always took a great corner

[@billybeads3328]

In those days all the really successful teams had Scottish players in their ranks unlike today where very few play at the top level in the Premier League

[@georgevasiliou4950]

the two legends

[@georgevasiliou4950]

the nottingham forest miracle is bigger than the leicester miracle

[@Jackw1865]

I know people tryna say what Leicester did was better than Forest fuck off. Leicester went from midway in the premier league to champions Forest in 5 years went from midway fthrough division 2 to fucking European cup champions

[@gatsbygoodwood2575]

Both very similar and spectacular feats and if you think comparing both as one better than the other, you’d be an idiot.

[@Jackw1865]

@@gatsbygoodwood2575 forests was way better than what Leicester did

[@gatsbygoodwood2575]

@@Jackw1865 because you’re a Forest fan, but realistically, not comparable. Neither side would not cope in each other’s time periods and both were lead by very similar structures, 442, ball on the ground. Heck even Nigel Pearson and Craig Shakespeare, who in fact both were the true masterminds behind the title win, were together, very similar to Clough and Taylor in many ways. Also Leicester were almost relegated rock bottom to winning the league within 12 months, get ya facts right lol

[@tbonetone1]

@@gatsbygoodwood2575 Agree with ya 100%, I'm a Forest fan and I was behind Leicester and still am cause I love how they play. Mates would string me up if they saw this but I love football so f**ck it.

[@benneave4921]

Jeez ! Theses two are an inspiring pair !

[@rebelbhoy1888]

Robbo... Fuckin Legend

[@jamessim1858]

All the Scottish players are legends and most of the top English clubs had several of them either as players or managers no doubt about that!

[@haydoncooper3744]

Proper footballers Legends.

[@dre7sus]

Icons 👑 👑 💯.... Rest in Power Trevor Francis 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️👑💯

[@jamesbomd3503]

Good to hear about Brian Clough from Jasper Carrott

[@markashton6853]

Liverpool fan with great memories of this side. 👍

[@freepubquiz1649]

Great players and great memories.Honest interview from two gents - any story about Clough is a joy to listen to, younger Premiership fans don't know what they missed. Interviewer needs to speak up a little - I have to turn the volume up to full blast to hear the questions.

[@Carapuncha1]

That's amazing. Always wondered to this day if Trevor hurt himself on that circle- it wasn't discus by the way- shot putt! RIP Trevor Francis

[@PureFate]

Humbled by greatness rested his players like hero's, the fans made forest & you now know it. If you could hear the City Ground you soon realise what we were really made of. never give up on every ball, never complained. REAL team spirit, every week hungry like LIONS.

[@garydarkcloud]

Years ago the game had characters. Football felt like a working class game. It's not surprising at international level we no longer are a force. Far to many foreign players. Our kids don't get a look in.

[@craphead9842]

Two great players.. Endof regards Tony

[@vantheman1238]

Is Trevor sat on his newspaper? Great interview listening to two absolute legends.

[@terrygill430]

Clough demanded and insisted on manners and respect and only signed and tolerated players that adhered to this: Taylor spotted the talent and Clough managed it, incredible duo, but both never as strong without the other

[@geoffpoole483]

In Clough's words, "he was the shop window, Taylor was the goods in the back".

[@hassanashkanani300]

Nottingham Forest Forever ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@serenityinside1]

COYR 😅 ❤️

[@RoyMcCalvey]

Loved Cloughie & Peter Taylor...footie gods!

[@jeffallinson8089]

Forest back then were an awesome side with strength in every position.

[@markstevenfall]

These two guys were real footballers, each brilliant in their own way, rather unlike many of today's highly paid badge-kissing Prima Donnas that are literally killing the game...

[@Gary-en2gb]

🎵we all agree NOTT'M FOREST ARE MAGIC, an I'll bet robbo would still show the majority of alleged player's up still, poor ol trev,RIP TREVOR FRANCIS, UUUU RED'S.

[@philipmartinhammond8313]

I loved Forest they played great football just like Shanks Liverpool

[@vinnysamways63]

When I was a kid, I remember watching John Robertson 'train' when he was at Derby. He injured his ankle and we went into the clubhouse at the Ramarena to see how he was. He was sat there with a fag in one hand, a pint in the other and an ice-pack around his foot which didn't stop him having a game of pool with us. Quality times!

[@ospreyboy1]

Can't hear the person asking the questions...

[@jasmineblack9778]

Imagine if they done it again !!

[@stephenpark8133]

To think that Trevor won an European Cup Final Winners medal, how many Prem Player can say that?

[@craphead9842]

When TF managed Blues he must have been so proud... regards Tony

[@errcoche]

I hadn't twigged on Trevor being a West Country boy before. I must be deaf. Too right about the joy of playing on a perfect carpet of green. Even if you are any good ( like me of course ), you can't beat a good game on a nice pitch. Same with tennis on grass.

[@tonyashmore7021]

I know Trevor Francis scored the wining goal in the European Cup final but without question we at Birmingham City saw the best of him. I don't care what anyone says or thinks he never hit the heights he had played at Birmingham.

[@cyrilrogan4069]

One word for you mate,Bitter!!!....Uuuu Redddds!!!

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@cyrilrogan4069 Not a Brum or a Forest fan but Tony is correct. Trevor Francis played brilliantly for Birmingham, which is why he became a million pound player. But he was never as good after he left them.

[@steaks652]

He just won a lot more instead.

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@steaks652 He certainly won more than he would have at Birmingham, but that's because he was with bigger clubs and better players.

[@steaks652]

Thanks Clever Clive for your wonderful intelligent insight, I am begining to feel the force of your continued insight, I am only concerned how I can survive without it. ( You don't say). Nice you have followed this thread correctly, so a big well done there.

[@mickeymouse7861]

Who is the drink of water asking the questions? Can't even hear him!

[@MrNokia8210]

I just watched this on Sky documentaries. Really enjoyed it (Liverpool fan). I must say the sky docs are much better than netflix ones.

[@WILLIAM1690WALES]

Martin O’Neill Northern Ireland, not the republic

[@nobbytang]

I have a great affinity with notts forest because of Brian Clough …in1977 forest won the old 2nd division with Bolton as 2nd place ….my team Blackpool were 3rd on the same points as Bolton but worse goal average and so l always looked at forest as they could of been Blackpool….so when they became 1st division champions that was me andwhen notts forest beat Malmö and Hamburg that could of been Blackpool…..up Forest and thanks to these 2 great players for reminding me ….

[@jamescodling6929]

Messie then grearest? He has never played on a farmer's field, never been hacked down from behind. People talk shite .

[@landyman97]

My team villa won one European cup but I must admit this Forrest team were brilliant...Villa were good but Forrest were another level.

[@CB-xr1eg]

Forest* So many morons can't spell a simple word!

[@SUPERCJJOHNS87]

Even as a derby fan I respect Nottingham forest for what they achieved under old big ed. Ive noticed people keep calling Nottingham forest notts forest its just annoying 🙄

[@davidkavanagh8175]

Francis never got the credit that he deserved

[@steffanhoffmann]

Humility, a rare quality these days. Even with Clough, he took it on the chin. Clough to be fair; relented. Francis delivered. Hope you're with Helen from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 now mate. RIP and thank you. 👍 ☺ kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3bRY3qmmcaJitk

[@michae13james10]

Was that really the Trevor Francis show ?

[@brianmullen5305]

Two gents and seem good fun and articulate. The interviewer is as dull as dishwasher..

[@boycie-1690]

3:30 Oops, oh dear Trevor, I'm not so sure that Martin O'Neil ever played for the Republic, but maybe I'm wrong, it was probably when you played for Scotland? 😂😂😂

[@jamesscott5509]

I like notts forest

[@joesleet8609]

I wonder did the back too back European cups drain Forest financially ?,the team was broken up quite quickly.thought,s please

[@SilentRunner79]

I was trying to find some info on the internet about that. I got the same question. How did the club become an ordinary club after the two back 2 back European titles?

[@andrewwright4195]

Γιάννης Αργυριάδης because they sold most of their top players and bought cheaper players so they didn't replace them

[@redsfanstan2012]

Sadly cough and Taylor fell out and cloughies illness eventually overcame him.

[@briannaghten2201]

Most of the players that left Forest at that time did not prosper elsewhere. Frank Clark retired and Larry Lloyd had a couple of years with a lesser club before he got into management. Kenny Burns had a couple of good seasons at Leeds before spells at Derby and Barnsley . Viv Anderson stayed on till 1984 before his big move to Arsenal. O'Neil yo-yoed around Norwich Bowyer left for a season at Suderland and came back McGovern Joined Bolton at the age of 33 Gemmill left for Birmingham age 32 Robertson went to Derby between the age of 30 and 32 before a final season with Forest. Footballers, especially midfielders, didn't play at the top level as long as they do now. John O'Hare was 35 when he left for a final season in the USA. Gary Birtles made a big money move to Man Utd where he didn't impress, returning to Forest after 2 seasons Trevor Francis was moved on for a 20% profit, despite a lay off through injury. Man City sold him to Sampatoria then he moved around with regularity. Tony Woodcock went to FC Koln before having a good run in the Arsenal Team. Peter Shilton went on to impress with Southampton and England. There has always been some mystery as to why no big club ever went for Shilton. He stated his own puzzlement at the situation. Overall most of the team had peaked in their career and it was a shrew move to sell them. Perhaps it was too many at the same time

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@briannaghten2201 Sampatoria??🤣🤣😂😂 Its Sampdoria you mong!

[@tonyashmore7021]

Yeah Trev you would have been a world leader if you had been playing on today's pitches

[@johncoppinger3208]

The interviewer kills any momentum in this interview 🙈

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

What has football lost? I'd say British players in the top division. It used to be 98%, now it's about 15%.

[@MichaelGGarry]

Its the English league, not British. But here are the British numbers of the top 5 clubs in the Prem as I type: Chelsea 10/28 (all English) Liverpool 18/36 Man City 14/31 WHU 12/29 Man Utd 14/33 So nowhere near 15%. Closer to to 50%.....

[@pillarsofdoom4891]

Who's the dribbler asking qs?

[@CB-xr1eg]

You by the looks of it.🤣🤣

[@michaelrolton7502]

Sorry, I can't hear the first question.

[@CB-xr1eg]

The first question was, Michael Rolton, have you got your hearing aid in? So we know what the answer was.👍🤣

[@jockmackay9582]

@@CB-xr1eg every comment I have read of yours is pathetic. Have you nothing even remotely interesting or witty or informative to say? People must hate you

[@steaks652]

@@jockmackay9582 , Bindley is a tedious bore , you have nailed this buffoon. Absolute bell end.

[@barryispuzzled]

Interviewer needs to speak up.

[@Kurgan618]

Should've asked John if he ever forgave Trevor's attempt to put him off that pen in 1981!

[@alanadair4893]

John knew what Trevor was up to. He changed sides watch again I’m sure John did change his side

[@kevinmurphy7783]

has Trevor got a packet of crisps in his pocket or something?

[@armchairdetective520]

I know who or what is it

[@delki69]

I believe in miracles ASTON VILLA

[@DavidUKesb]

Sadly the achievements of clubs like Forest, and especially Villa, have been airbrushed from history by the modern game and it's commentators.

[@cyrilrogan4069]

Yeah mate,we won it TWICE!!!

[@robertbryant6859]

What on earth was that irritating rustling/creaking interfering with the soundtrack?

[@bennywhitelaw9379]

Has Trev got a crisp packet up his sleeve?

[@LeroyKinkade]

Crap question at the end .... Football was great then Forest were Fuckin Fantastic

[@DungeonTV100]

I no longer watch football, because there's a distinct lack of gentlemen like these two. I was a Man city fan.. but this new version of non tackle U.S soccer ball is anathema to me. I don't recognize any kinship with modern rich boys. They market MESSI as the greatest etc...cos he's good for business.. but it's a scam.

[@johnmanning5568]

At least spell his name right

[@josephjeffrey5848]

A.......... s

[@gmc2652]

john the fatest little wing half who won it "clought"

[@scottthefunk]

Great guys weak interviewer though.

[@klnine]

Francis hated Clough , wasted his career

[@Dadopersoblueboots]

Clough never liked Trevor . Mad as a brush.

[@1957bumpy]

Yeah "the little fat lad on the wing" the best player I have seen in a red shirt of forest