DERBY writer Don Shaw is hoping a film version of his Brian Clough book will help "set the record straight" after the release of controversial book The Damned Utd.

Mr Shaw's book Clough's War is set to be published in May and he said it has already attracted interest from film-makers.

"I know a top director who was going to direct The Damned Utd and didn't because he didn't think the script was up to what he expected and instead is interested in doing a film of my book," said Mr Shaw. David Peace's book about Clough's 44 days in charge at Leeds, The Damned Utd, has angered former players, fans and members of the Clough family.

Mr Shaw was asked by Brian Clough's widow, Barbara, to voice her protest at the dark depiction of her husband in the novel, a film version of which is due out later this month.

"Barbara Clough rang me up in 2007 to ask if I would intercede on her behalf," he said, "which I was happy to do."

Mr Shaw, who was instrumental in trying to bring Brian Clough back to Derby after his shock resignation from the Rams in the 1970s, now says his book will "correct" some aspects of the David Peace novel.

"I'm John Shaw in The Damned Utd, the only character in the book whose name has been changed," he said.

"David Peace took some of my anecdotes that appear in the Tony Francis Clough book. Tony came to me in 1984 asking me to help him write the book on Clough and some of that is in The Damned Utd, including my dialogue – so I'm a little bit peeved about that.

"I first came across Brian just after we started the protest movement, a few days after he resigned from Derby County. I met him privately and my book will be about that story, which will be very exciting. I'm hoping that it will eclipse The Damned Utd, as I want to set the record straight.

"I have been a Derby County supporter since I was 10. I saw them win the Midlands Cup in 1944, using some servicemen, and was always a fan from then on. I was a season ticket holder when Clough resigned and I couldn't believe it and had to do something about it.

"So I got people together and we all met at the Crest Hotel, in Littleover. Clough and I worked together to get him back because he regretted leaving Derby bitterly."

Mr Shaw does not know whether these events feature in The Damned Utd movie. He said David Peace had never called him to ask about the time when he knew Brian Clough.

"I have tried to find out from the BBC Films if I am in the film but suspect I'm not," he said.

Clough's War, by Don Shaw, will be published on May 7.

The Damned Utd opens at cinemas in Derby on March 27.