Sir Geoffrey Boycott reflects on friendship with Brian Clough ahead of Sunderland appearance

Legend of the sport, Sir Geoffrey, will take to the stage at the Roker Hotel on Friday, April 24, 2026 for a special ‘Evening With’ event.

Ahead of the event, he’s been recalling his bond with late Black Cat Brian Clough.

The friendship began in the summer of 1963 at Scarborough Cricket Club, when Sir Geoffrey was part of the Yorkshire team.

At the time, Clough — then a Sunderland centre-forward — was recovering from the serious broken leg he suffered at Roker Park against Bury on Boxing Day 1962, an injury that would bring his playing career to an end.

“Brian was a big friend with our captain Brian Close,” Sir Geoffrey recalled.

“Closey was a great cricketer but he also had a football playing career at Bradford City and Leeds, and it was through that football link that Brian Clough and I became big pals.”

Before concentrating on cricket, Brian Close had played professional football during his youth, a background that helped form the connection between the two men.

During that summer at Scarborough, Clough spent time watching Yorkshire play from around the pavilion as they went on to enjoy a memorable County Championship-winning season.

“We had a fantastic year and won the County Championship in that memorable summer,” Boycott said.

“As an added bonus, I got to meet Cloughie properly when Brian Close introduced me to him, and we just hit it off straight away. That summer of 1963 was incredibly difficult for Brian as he was desperately trying to stay in the game following the severe leg injury. He loved the fans at Roker Park and longed to play in front of them again in the red and white of Sunderland.”

Sir Geoffrey said their friendship was immediate and enduring.“I loved my football and Brian loved his cricket, so we got on straight away.

“My dad was a miner and Brian worked in a sweet shop — proper working-class lads. We were taught to make the best of what we had and be grateful for it.”

Over the years, the two sporting figures regularly watched each other’s teams, often away from the public eye.

“I spent a lot of time watching Brian’s teams through the years and he would often be seen watching me play cricket,” Boycott said.

“I spent many days at his home with his wife Barbara and their three children — we were the best of mates.”

Some of their most meaningful moments came during long, private conversations.

“Some of the chats we had were at major moments in our lives and we spoke on the phone for endless hours,” he said.“I loved his straight, no-nonsense talk and I guess that’s why we gelled so well.”

Boycott also paid tribute to Clough’s ability as a leader.

“He could make his players feel like world-beaters in an instant,” he said. “He was nothing short of remarkable - I wish that he had managed me!.”

One image, in particular, remains especially important to Sir Geoffrey.

“One of my favourite photos is the one of us together which was used prominently in my testimonial year programme in 1984,” he said.“I still hold it close as a treasured memory.”

Sir Geoffrey later spoke at Brian Clough’s memorial service at Pride Park in October 2004, an honour he describes as deeply emotional.

“There will never be another Cloughie,” he said.“I was proud to be asked to speak in tribute, even though I was so sad to have lost such a wonderful and reliable friend.”

As Sir Geoffrey Boycott returns to Sunderland on Friday April 24th, the evening will offer audiences a rare opportunity to hear first-hand memories of Brian Clough, told by someone who knew him not only as a football icon but as a close friend.

During An Evening with Sir Geoffrey Boycott, he will reflect on his distinguished cricketing career, the characters who shaped it, and his enduring bond with one of British sport’s most influential figures.

An Evening with Sir Geoffrey Boycott takes place at the Roker Hotel, Sunderland on Friday 24th April 2026 Tickets are available here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/goffy-media/t-jxkznxe or by calling 07990 - 588424