Nottingham's statue fund for Cloughie has now smashed its £60,000 target. The fund was set-up in June 2005 for a statue of the Master Manager in a prominent location in Nottingham city centre.
After reaching £59,000 following eighteen months of fund raising, volunteers have now welcomed major donations from Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Forest.
The council and Forest have each contributed £5,000, taking the total raised to £69,000. A joint cheque presentation will take place at half-time during the Reds' Boxing Day match against Port Vale at the City Ground.
The chairman of the statue fund, Paul Ellis, said it was a tremendous achievement to have exceeded the target in such a short period of time. "It's absolutely fantastic and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the fund-raising campaign," he said. "To receive such a major contribution from Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Forest is the icing on the cake.
"We must remember that all this would not have been possible without the hundreds of people in Nottinghamshire and around the world who put their hands in their pockets and supported the fund from the very beginning. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way. People have taken the fund to their hearts, just as they did the Great Man himself."
City Council leader Jon Collins said: "The fund-raisers have done a tremendous job in raising so much money in just eighteen months. The success of the fund has underlined just how loved and admired Brian Clough was, and what a huge impact he had on Nottingham and Nottinghamshire."
"It is only right the city council makes a contribution to a fund which has had overwhelming support from local people. The statue will be a lasting tribute to the achievements of a remarkable man who put the city on the worldwide map."
All around the country there are statues of other footballing greats and it is very fitting that we should have one of Brian Clough in Nottingham, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and in response to the feeling of fans worldwide."
Fund committee member Sarah Clarke said she looked forward to the day when fans would see a lasting tribute to their hero. "To exceed our target in eighteen months is a dream come true. The success of this fund, and the support of fans around the world, has shown what Brian Clough meant to so many people."
From www.brianclough.com
