Latest news with #Clough
The Star
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Clough ready to give his all for new club Red Giants
Tough battle: Zach Clough (left) vying for the ball with Asia Warriors' Victor Igbonefo during a friendly match. — Selangor FC PETALING JAYA: With just over a week to go before Selangor take on Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the Charity Shield, new signing Zach Clough knows the Red Giants still have work to do – but he's embracing the challenge. The former Nottingham Forest and Bolton Wanderers playmaker, who recently joined from Adelaide United, is quickly adapting to Malaysian football and believes Selangor is the perfect fit at this stage of his career. 'Selangor stood out among the offers I had. They want to succeed, they want to do well in Asia,' said Clough, 30. The Englishman is already analysing where the team must improve, especially after a tough pre-season outing against Asia Warriors. 'It was hard to break them down. We moved the ball well but a bit too slowly. That's something we can work on before facing JDT,' he said. Clough is focused on sharpening Selangor's attacking play and building chemistry under coach Katsuhito Kinoshi. 'We need to be more composed in the box and make smarter decisions. I'm here to contribute – score, create, and give everything for this club.' Facing defending champions JDT in the season opener is no easy task, but Clough sees it as a golden opportunity. 'They're a massive club and have raised the standard of Malaysian football. It's a chance to test ourselves against the best.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Gregory given time to decide on Stags future
Mansfield Town striker Lee Gregory will be left to decide if he can continue his playing career with the club after recovering from injury, says Stags boss Nigel 36-year-old missed the final three months of last season with a knee issue, while a similar problem also kept him out for almost two months earlier in the former Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall and Stoke City forward was limited to 20 League One appearances on his return to the club, but still managed to finish as Mansfield's second-top scorer with 10 goals last has continued his recovery with the Stags since the end of the season, while discussions about extending his stay have remained ongoing."We have left it with Lee, really," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham."He is honest enough to say if his knee is not right. The only person who will know is Lee himself. So he is working hard to do everything he can, but we will know a bit more in the next few weeks."He is still doing his rehab at the moment and is training once every couple of days at the moment."Mansfield start their League One campaign on Saturday, 2 August at Clough's former side Burton Albion.
The Star
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Chasing silverware not the only motivation for Selangor's new midfield ace Clough
PETALING JAYA: Selangor's new attacking midfielder Zach Clough (pic) insists his move to the Red Giants goes beyond just chasing silverware. 'Coming to Selangor wasn't just a football decision, but a life experience,' said the Englishman, after the Super League side officially announced that he was their fifth import for the upcoming season. At 30, Clough brings a wealth of experience acquired from across English and Australian football. But it's his mindset off the pitch that may prove just as valuable to Selangor as his vision on it. The former Adelaide United star believes that this move is as much about growth as it is about goals. After bursting onto the scene with Bolton Wanderers in 2015, where he scored 23 goals in 77 appearances, Clough was touted as one of England's rising midfield talents. A high-profile transfer to Nottingham Forest followed, before stints with Wigan Athletic and Carlisle United saw him mature through both the challenges and joys of the Football League. His switch to the A-League in 2022 turned out to be a turning point not just professionally, but personally. With 22 goals in 93 appearances and a Player of the Year honour in the 2023-2024 season, Clough became a key figure for Adelaide. Now, with his chapter in Australia complete, he has set his sights on South-East Asia. 'I'm focused on adapting quickly by working hard, speaking with the players, and understanding what the coach wants from me,' said Clough. 'I have had the chance to play under many managers at different clubs, and I've faced both highs and setbacks along the way. All of that experience has shaped me, and I believe it's prepared me for this new challenge at Selangor.' Selangor coach Katsuhito Kinoshi will be banking on Clough's intelligence and composure in tight situations. Known for his quick decision-making, sharp runs into the box, and ability to improvise under pressure, Clough is expected to be a natural link between midfield and attack. His arrival should complement wide players like Alvin Fortes and Faisal Halim, who will relish delivering crosses to a midfielder who times his box entries with precision. Selangor, who will also compete in the Asian Champions League (ACL) Two and the AFF Club Championship this season, hope Clough's creativity and leadership will help guide them through a demanding schedule both domestically and internationally. 'Football moves so fast - not gonna lie, it feels like I was 18 just yesterday, and now I'm 30,' Clough reflected. 'That's why I've learned to appreciate the journey and enjoy every moment. These opportunities don't always come around, and I want to make the most of it, especially for myself, my family, and the fans.' Clough joins a refreshed Selangor squad that have also secured Thai midfielder Picha Autra, Brazilian forwards Chrigor Moraes and Willian Lira, and Afghanistani midfielder Omid Musawi. As they prepare for the Super League, FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup campaigns, Clough's arrival signals not only a new chapter in his own journey but a renewed belief in Selangor's ambitions for silverware.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Selangor find their new playmaker in Clough after Orozco's exit
PETALING JAYA: Selangor are set to have a new chief playmaker at their disposal and he comes from England. Zach Clough (pic) is the man for the job and the news was broken by their former player and Australian football pundit Robbie Cornthwaite. 'Adelaide United midfielder Zach Clough has signed for Malaysian Super League giants Selangor,' he tweeted yesterday. The move will whet the appetite of Selangor fans, especially after the departure of Venezuelan playmaker Yohandry Orozco during the off-season. Clough brings with him a wealth of experience, creativity, and technical flair that Selangor hope will elevate their midfield to new heights. The 30-year-old playmaker is well known for his intelligence on the ball, sharp passing range, and an eye for goal, all attributes that have made him a standout in the English Football League and Australia's top tier. Having started his career at Bolton Wanderers, Clough quickly made a name for himself as one of the most exciting young talents in English football. He scored 21 goals in 68 appearances for Bolton and also had stints with Nottingham Forest and Wigan Athletic. Injuries may have disrupted parts of his career but at his best, Clough remains a dynamic attacking midfielder with an instinctive ability to unlock defences. At Adelaide United, Clough found his rhythm again, becoming a central figure in their attacking set-up. His vision and control in tight spaces proved vital for the Reds and his ability to drop deep and dictate play often allowed others around him to flourish. Last season in the A-League, he played 27 matches, scoring seven and making nine assists. Selangor's move for Clough signals their intent to challenge for silverware and build on the steady progress they made under coach Katsuhito Kinoshi. Clough is expected to slot into an advanced midfield role, potentially just behind the striker, where his ability to thread through passes and take on defenders could provide Selangor with the attacking edge they need. He could also be deployed as a winger. Fans of the Red Giants will be eager to see how quickly Clough adapts to the tempo and physicality of Malaysian football. However, given his technical style and prior experience adjusting to different leagues, there is confidence that he will make an immediate impact.
Leader Live
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
‘Forgotten' England football manager Don Revie to be honoured in home town
Revie, an England player then a pioneering and title-winning coach with Leeds United, has no memorials in his home town of Middlesbrough, where he grew up two miles away from Clough. While Clough – often dubbed the Greatest Manager England never had – has a statue in the town's Albert Park, a street named after him in Linthorpe and a plaque on his former house, nothing marks out that Revie was a Boro lad. Revie, who managed England from 1974 until he quit for the United Arab Emirates in 1977, does not even have a plaque on his former home in Bell Street, Newport. Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald and Fly Me To The Moon football fanzine editor Robert Nichols approached Revie's former school Archibald Primary about changing that. Teaming up with the school, historian Dr Tosh Warwick and local artists, a plan was put forward for a metre-square mosaic at the school which will be visible to passers-by. The Labour MP said: 'Don Revie was a pioneer in football and his achievements were utterly remarkable. 'In a very short space of time he took a second division side in Leeds United to the top of the English game and into Europe. 'But whereas others like Brian Clough and Bill Shankly, who have had similar achievements, are hero figures across the nation, Don Revie is forgotten somewhat outside of Leeds. 'That someone from Middlesbrough's Newport area could rise to be one of only 16 people to ever hold the permanent position of England football manager and the story not be told seemed to us a crying shame. 'He is a fascinating character who has divided opinion but someone who we should perhaps look again at for the town of Middlesbrough and we hope in this piece of art that we do just that and inspire the pupils of Archibald to know that they can achieve anything they want to.' Revie honed his skills, which saw him play up front for Leicester City and England, by kicking a ball against the playground walls at his primary school. Archibald deputy headteacher Steve Cowgill said: 'We are really proud that our school has such a long history and are looking forward to working on this exciting project relating to an ex-pupil who went on to be a significant local and national figure. 'Our aim is that as many pupils and their parents and carers as possible can become involved in creating this lasting recognition to Don Revie.' Revie and Clough, who followed him for just 44 days as Leeds manager, famously clashed in 1974 in a TV interview on the day Clough was sacked, which was later depicted in the film Damned United. Clough had been a fierce critic of Revie, telling players after he took over at Leeds that they should bin their medals as they had not been won fairly. Revie, who died aged 61 in 1989, has a statue outside the Elland Road stadium where his tactical nous, planning skills and loyalty to players is fondly remembered by Leeds fans.
