Brian Clough was a prolific striker for Middlesbrough and Sunderland before injury ended his career at the age of 27. In October 1965 he was appointed manager of a struggling Pools side and, with his assistant Peter Taylor, led the team to 8th place in 1966/67, laying the foundations for the promotion that followed a year later. He left in the summer of 1967 and, with Derby and Nottingham Forest, went on to be one of the greatest managers the game has seen. He died in 2004.