'Come here and give us a kiss' - Anderson

Anderson played for Brian Clough between 1974 to 1984 and made history when he became the first black player to win a full international cap for England when he lined up as a right-back against Czechoslovakia in 1978.

The 48-year-old defender, who won two European and League Cup winners medals while under Clough's stewardship, was saddened by the news and happily recollected on one of the last times he saw his old boss while in the twilight of his career at Sheffield Wednesday.

"I went out to warm up before the game and when I came back off the pitch he was sat in the dug-out on his own," said Anderson.

"He said to me 'come here and give us a kiss'.

"He was a very nice man and he will be sorely missed."

In a glittering career which spanned 20 years Anderson was part of Forest's record breaking 42 match unbeaten run - recently surpassed by Arsenal.

He also won 30 international caps, scoring twice, and Forest aside, also turned out for Arsenal, Manchester United - where he became Alex Ferguson's first signing - and Sheffield Wednesday.

Surprisingly, the 48-year-old says there was no secret formula to Forest's success .

He commented: "His team talks were very short and very brief. He told me to get the ball and give it to people who could play.

"He was never a one for tactics and neither was he any great tactician. There was never any great dossiers on other teams.

"What he did do was get 11 players together who could play and we were very successful in doing that.

"He was a great man-manager. Whatever character we had he worked out what was best for them. If you needed a kick up the back side he would do it that way or if you needed an arm around you he would do it that way.

"He was a great man-manager and undoubtedly the best manager I had ever worked for."

Darlington assistant manager Mark Proctor was signed by Forest boss Clough from Middlesbrough in a £400,000 deal in 1981.

"He was an outstanding manager and his record was second to none," said Proctor.

"Some people don't appreciate that he won the title with Forest and Derby, who were lesser clubs. He brought both from obscurity.

"It was a wonderful experience for me but if I'm brutally honest it didn't go that well.

"I played for virtually the two years I was there but I found him very abrasive at that time.

"It was a big move for me when I went there and he was at the height of his managerial career.

"He wanted what he wanted and if he didn't get it he would tell you under no uncertain terms.

"I was 20 at the time and he wasn't quite what I needed at that stage of career. It was still two terrific years for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"They were European champions when I joined them and it was great to be thrust in with the likes of Trevor Francis, Peter Shilton and John Robertson.

"Cloughie was always a bit of a psychologist because he always did the opposite to what you expected.

"If you were expecting a pat on the back you would get a rollocking and vice-versa."

Goalkeeper Ken Simpkins played under a young Clough during his first managerial stint at Hartlepools - and knew from the start he was destined for big things.

Simpkins, who was at the Victoria Ground throughout Clough's reign, recalled: "He worked so well together with Peter Taylor and you could tell they had something special about them - it was obvious they were going places.

"He was a hard bloke, a really hard bloke to work for - he said what he thought and never held back.

"He upset a few people along the way, but he wasn't bothered!

"It's a sad day. It's a long time since I saw him last - it was probably when he was at Derby - but I will never forget the man.''