Tankards, Clough & ‘creaky joints’ – Tennent’s Sixes returns

The historic account behind this achievement feels bizarrely expansive and ultimately underscores how dramatically the sport has changed over the past century.

In 1988, celebrated manager Brian Clough compelled Nottingham Forest to decline participation, leaving their side as an unexpected contender for the European Cup that season.

Consider the formidable obstacles a contemporary Premier League giant could face trying to field a six‑man squad far across the border.

Renowned figureheads had long struggled to claim that elusive cup after securing titles elsewhere—an accolade Clough could not secure during this tenure.

It was Partick Thistle who claimed the trophy three seasons later, defending their supremacy even though manager John Lambie never attended the event personally.

The Thistle side appeared scarcely deterred, treating the surprise win almost as incidental to their week-to-week routines.

Their dominance persisted for three decades until finally giving way to newer competitors.

“I remember we headed to one of the Glasgow nightclubs, the Savoy,”** says Gerry Britton, currently chief executive of Firhill FC, speaking with BBC Scotland.

“Our memories of standing at the bar together with our tankards and requesting they be filled with Tennent’s persist,”** Britton reflects.

Fast forward three decades and the Savoy continues to thrive as a beloved local institution.

“If you encounter any number of fellow players with aching joints curled up near the counter this Sunday, you may fairly conjecture they spent their recent weekend at Braehead.**”

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