£400 EACH FOR THE TWO BOSSES

 GRIMSBY MP Austin Mitchell, a former TV presenter, has recalled his most famous interview - one with two foremost managers of yesteryear, Brian Clough and Don Revie.

Although Mitchell has next to no knowledge of football, he was asked to “referee” the famous studio confrontation because no one else was available.

In his newly-published book, Calendar Boy, the MP writes: “Two very different personalities, with different approaches to management, traded their dislike of each other.

“It was historic and has since been made famous by the film, The Damned United, though someone better looking than me played me!”

Mitchell continues: “Contrary to rumour, neither had been tricked into appearing and  each received the same payment - £400 in cash.

“The interview was dead easy for me. Each disliked the other so much that there was no need for the interviewer to intervene at all.

“I just sat there and watched the argument unfurl – which it did brilliantly.

“I was fascinated by the interaction between the two great managers, though very much on Clough’s side as the more human of the two.”

* Calendar Boy is published at £19.99 by Pen & Sword Books Ltd