The Damned United (2009) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Peter Taylor did not join Clough at Leeds because Clough chose to take the Leeds job without discussing it with Taylor first. When the opportunity arose, Clough made the decision unilaterally, which hurt Taylor and created a rift in their partnership. This decision ultimately led to their bitter separation when Clough went to Leeds while Taylor accepted a position at Brighton.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Clough making this decision without consulting Taylor, hinting at the fracture to come.

• peter taylor
• brian clough
• leeds united
• partnership
• derby county

Clough failed at Leeds because his abrasive personality immediately alienated the squad. Upon arrival, he told the players they could 'dismiss their medals' because they 'never won any of them fairly,' directly insulting the team that had won championships under Revie. His refusal to adapt his style, combined with player conflicts and a poor start, led the board to terminate his contract after just 44 days.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Clough's critical nature early, showing his tendency to alienate those around him.

• brian clough
• leeds united
• failure
• 44 days
• players

The rivalry began in 1967 during an FA Cup match at Derby's Baseball Ground. Clough mistakenly believed he and Revie shared similarities as both came from Middlesbrough, but Revie ignored him during the match. Derby lost 0-2, and Clough initially blamed Leeds' brutality before realizing he was outmatched technically. This encounter spawned years of mutual resentment, with Clough viewing Revie as dishonest and cold-hearted, while Revie saw Clough as inflexible.

Foreshadowing: The 1967 match establishes the deep-seated animosity that fuels their televised confrontation later.

• brian clough
• don revie
• rivalry
• leeds united
• derby county
• 1967 fa cup

The Charity Shield match against Liverpool marked Clough's debut as Leeds manager and served as Bill Shankly's farewell. The game descended into chaos when captain Billy Bremner fought Kevin Keegan, resulting in both players being sent off. This brawl damaged team morale, led to Bremner's two-month suspension, and resulted in a penalty shootout loss, a disastrous start for Clough's reign.

• charity shield
• billy bremner
• kevin keegan
• leeds united
• liverpool
• brawl

After being dismissed from Derby, Clough and Taylor received offers from Brighton & Hove Albion. The film doesn't explicitly state Clough's reasoning, but his ambitious nature and the prestige of managing Leeds, a top club with established players, likely motivated him. This choice led to Taylor selecting Brighton for stability, resulting in the bitter separation of the lifelong partners.

• brian clough
• leeds united
• brighton
• choice
• ambition

During Derby's European Cup campaign against Juventus, chairman Sam Longson advised Clough to rest key players. Clough stubbornly refused and instead scheduled a match against Leeds, where multiple players suffered injuries. This decision weakened Derby and contributed to their eventual elimination, further straining Clough's relationship with the board and highlighting his stubbornness.

Foreshadowing: The film shows Longson's warnings early, making Clough's refusal seem inevitable.

• derby county
• leeds united
• injuries
• european cup
• sam longson

During Derby's European campaign, Peter Taylor experienced a health scare that worried Clough. Frustrated by the mounting pressures and Taylor's illness, Clough offered his resignation to the board. However, the board unexpectedly accepted both resignations, Clough and Taylor's, terminating their positions abruptly, blindsiding the pair.

• peter taylor
• health scare
• derby county
• resignation
• board

Yes, Clough and Taylor reunited at Nottingham Forest after their bitter separation. Together, they achieved remarkable success, winning the First Division title and becoming the first English club to win consecutive European Cups. This success cements their legacy as one of football's greatest managerial partnerships.

• nottingham forest
• peter taylor
• reunion
• european cups
• first division

After leaving Leeds to manage the England national team, Don Revie failed spectacularly in the role. His tenure was unsuccessful, and he ultimately departed for a career in the Middle East. The film contrasts this with Clough's eventual triumph at Nottingham Forest, reinforcing the irony that Clough was never hired as England manager despite his proven abilities.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at Revie's overconfidence when taking the England job, foreshadowing his downfall.

• don revie
• england manager
• middle east
• leeds united
• success

Billy Bremner, as Leeds captain and longtime leader under Revie, felt deeply disrespected by Clough's arrival. When Clough publicly dismissed the players' medals as unfairly won, Bremner saw it as an attack on his legacy and achievements. This, combined with Clough's overall abrasive approach, led Bremner to organize player complaints that ultimately convinced the board to sack Clough.

• billy bremner
• leeds united
• captain
• conflict
• dismissal