Clough statue campaign kicks off
17/06/05 | Latest News

A fund to raise money for a statue of the legendary football manager Brian Clough was officially launched today. The actor Colin Tarrant, who takes the role of Cloughie in a new play, traveled with fund-raisers on the Brian Clough tram, as they headed for the Council House. There, the City Council leader Jon Collins presented organisers with the special banners which were displayed in the city centre shortly after Brian Clough died last September.

The huge banners, featuring Brian Clough’s picture and some of his best-known quotes, will be auctioned off to raise money for the fund, which will be dependent on public donations and fund-raising events. The aim is to raise around £60,000 for a statue of the master manager in the city centre. 

Colin Tarrant has been playing to rave reviews in The Spirit of the Man at the Nottingham Playhouse. Speaking before the fund’s launch, he said: “I've always been a huge admirer of Brian Clough and I think it would be superb to see a statue of him in Nottingham. He was a brilliant man, a magical manager and a fantastic character. He transformed this city and put it on the map. I really hope this fund does well and succeeds in achieving a fitting tribute for a national treasure.”

The Brian Clough Statue Committee consists of a group of fans who are determined to see a lasting tribute to their hero in the city centre. The type of statue and its location are yet to be decided. The fund has the support of the City Council, Nottingham Forest FC, the Forest Supporters Club, the tribute website brianclough.com and the Reds fanzine Blooming Forest as well as LTLF. It also has the approval of Brian Clough’s family. 

Committee chairman Paul Ellis said: “After months of hard work behind the scenes, we’re now ready to start the fund. There’s been a tremendous reaction from the public since the idea was first suggested and we hope people will take the campaign to their hearts, just as they did the great man himself.

 “It’s fantastic that the City Council is donating the banners to help us raise funds. The banners will be forever linked with Nottingham’s tribute to Cloughie shortly after he died. Two of the banners were put on the front of the Council House, the others were displayed nearby. We intend to auction and raffle them off, giving fans the unique opportunity to own a special part of Nottinghamshire history. 

The banners feature some of Cloughie’s best known quotes, including “I wouldn’t say I was the best manager in the business, but I was in the top one”, “We talk about it for twenty minutes and then decide I was right” and “If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he’d have put grass up there.” 

The leader of the City Council, Jon Collins, has given the fund his personal backing. “I hope the fund will go from strength to strength,” he said. “I’m really pleased to present the banners which were displayed in the city and I hope they will help to raise important funds towards a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.”

Colin Lea of Nottingham Express Transit said: “We are proud to support the Brian Clough Statue Fund by laying-on the special Brian Clough tram for the launch. We wish the fund every success.”

One of the committee members, Sarah Clarke, from the tribute website brianclough.com, said the fund-raising campaign was a chance for people to repay the success and enjoyment Brian Clough brought to the city and county. “A statue will be something at which fans and visitors to the city can pay homage in years to come,” said Sarah. 

Another committee member, Rich Fisher, of the fanzine Blooming Forest said: “There are statues of other footballing greats in towns and cities around the country. It is only right we do everything we can as fans to ensure there’s a fitting tribute in Nottingham to this incredible man, the best manager England never had.”