I saw him as a player for both Middlesbrough and Sunderland during my North East days and he was truly inspirational. The mere fact that he took Hartlepool, his first club as a manager,out of the re-election mire showed his potential as a great manager. When I moved to Nottingham I had the pleasure, many times, of watching the Forest European Cup winning side playing the sort of football that did immense credit to the game world - wide. His motivation, in partnership with Peter Taylor, to turn journeyman players into stars was awe inspiring. In short he was the greatest manager that England never had. Such a shame that he died at a time when his beloved Forest are in such a shambles.
R.I.P. Brian you did the game proud.