Exploring the much softer, more compassionate side to iconic football manager, Bromfield's moving and tender memoir recounts how Brian Clough rescued the author and his brother from an abusive home life.
Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2022
Craig Bromfield was just 13 years old when Brian Clough, on a whim, took him and his older brother Aaron in.
They came from Southwick, a depressed area of Sunderland, where they lived with their abusive stepfather, and from where they longed to escape. After initially meeting Clough while out begging for money, Clough later invited the brothers to stay at his house. From there a relationship formed which would see Craig living with the Cloughs for nine years, where he was a first-hand witness to the many aspects of Clough's character - his gruffness, his humour, his big-heartedness.
This is a beautiful, inspirational story, which has never before been told, about Clough's gentleness and capacity for generosity. Discover a very different side to this iconic man, one away from the cameras and the football, which shows him for the person he really was.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008466893
Number of pages: 336
Weight: 270 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 21 mm
“One of the most incredible, emotional, feel-good stories you will ever read” – Daniel Taylor “Craig Bromfield’s love letter, and apology, to the great football manager is an unexpected and moving delight.” – Matt Dickinson, The Times Chief Sports Writer "It's rare to hear anything new about someone like Brian Clough, one of football's true giants. Rarer still that it can make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Quite simply, it's an amazing story." – Jeff Brown, BBC Look North “Be Good, Love Brian has got everything – love, friendship, laugh-out-loud comedy, football, and a heart-breaking betrayal. Craig Bromfield's feel-good story about Brian Clough's life changing generosity ends up something akin to a modern-day Shakespearian tragedy” – Simon Hattenstone, The Guardian “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 “The story is astonishing, the writing is wonderful. It is a story about Brian Clough, packed with detail never before shared and from a perspective never before explored. But more importantly, it is a story about Craig Bromfield. You are swept along on his journey, revelling in his joy, grieving in his pain. The emotional honesty of the account is disarming. It means you are there with him. You are inside the dressing room. You are willing him to do the right thing. And in those moments when he falters, life’s context brings empathy. Football fans should read it. But this is more than a football book.” – Adam Bate, Sky Sports
This book has pretty much everything. An unbelievable rollercoaster of a ride. As you read you cover every emotion possible. One minute tears of laughter the next tears of sadness. A very brave guy to talk about not... More
This a gripping story from start to finish, couldn’t put the book down. A must for any football readers, Nottingham Forest. Brian Clough fans and great gripping read. A North East lad trying to do good in an... More
This story is told by Craig Bromfield, a bright and likeable lad from Southwick, known locally as Suddick, one of Sunderland’s most deprived neighbourhoods. His innocent childhood dreams of making something of himself... More
Please sign in to write a review
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
