It was on this very week in 1993 when Brian Clough led out his beloved Nottingham Forest for the final time at the City Ground.
Whilst fans will cherish any moment they get to honour their former manager, it is an unwanted anniversary for the dearly departed legend as he was unable to steer his side clear of relegation from the Premier League 30 years ago.
Forest kicked off against Sheffield United on May 1st knowing only victory would keep their slim survival hopes alive, but goals from Glyn Hodges and Brian Gayle sent the Reds down in the Premier League’s inaugural season.
It would turn out to be Clough’s final home match in charge at the City Ground, with a final-day defeat against Ipswich Town ending his 18-year association with the club and confirming his retirement as a coach.
Despite the turmoil of the 92-93 season, Clough is still held in high regard today for both his longevity and success at Forest, most notably for lifting back-to-back Champions Leagues during his first spell at the club in 1979 and 1980.
To mark this unwanted event, fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to the man rather than the occasion:
So sad it ended like that. Top manager top man.
— Stephen J Dix (@Kop1986Dix) May 1, 2023
The manager who made me fall in love with football….. https://t.co/fSVhnMEVMR
— David Grummitt (@DaveGrum) May 1, 2023
Can’t believe that was 30 years ago. Cloughie = legend.
— Chris Parrott (@ChrisPas62) May 1, 2023
A giant, simply a giant of a man. https://t.co/LFHWUHiJPP
— Alan Rhodes (@CllrAlanRhodes) May 1, 2023
Breaks my heart every single time #NFFC https://t.co/F3JzwcZtZ6
— Neil Blake (@NMBLAKE) May 1, 2023
one of the greatest men ever, loved Brian Clough https://t.co/aUrsqqQuNi
— Metrophonic Music (@Metrophonic) May 1, 2023
Brian Clough Nottingham Statue: CC BY-SA 3.0
