Laws salutes old big 'ead

69-year-old Clough passed away in a Derby hospital, leaving the footballing
world to reflect on the man who lead unfashionable Nottingham Forest to an
incredible two European Cup successes.

It was at Forest where Laws spent five years under his guidance, and
although the heady days of European success had gone Clough left a big mark
on Laws.

The most memorable ­and tragic moment in that time came on April 15 1989,
when Laws was playing right-back for Forest in the FA Cup semi-final against
Liverpool at Hillsborough, a day when 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives.

"We all knew he had been very ill for the last few years, but the news of
his death has still come as a shock," admitted Laws.

"I spent the best five years of my playing career with Cloughie at the City
Ground," Laws told the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph.

"I have so many happy memories of him that will stay with me for the rest of
my life. He was the best manager in the country for bringing the best out of
a 'Mr Average' player and I believe that I was in that category.

"His death is a massive loss to football. I am sure there are a lot of his
old players saddened by the news. My feelings are now for his wife and
family. Cloughie was a fantastic family man and loved his players to be
family people."