by Patrick Gearey
Margate manager Terry Yorath has broken ranks with his former team mates by defending the controversial book and film about Brian Clough’s 44-day stint in charge of Leeds United.
Old Big 'Ead’s family have boycotted The Damned United, which stars Michael Sheen as the larger-than-life football boss, because they say it is not accurate.
The Gate boss’ former Leeds team mates are also unhappy at the book and Irish midfielder Johnny Giles criticised it in a recent television documentary.
But Yorath, who features in the book and the film, agrees with much of the turbulent portrayal of Clough’s time in charge.
The 59-year-old former Wales boss said: “I’ve seen clips of the film and I’ve seen the documentary twice. I’ve read the book over and over and it’s one of the best football books that I’ve read.
“I’ve got to say that probably 95 per cent of what’s in the book and in the film is true.”
Yorath, whose Margate side are fighting against relegation from the Ryman Premier, also agrees with The Damned United’s suggestion that the players forced Clough to leave Leeds.
“It was player power that got him out,” he said. “We were having meetings all the time discussing the state of the football club.”