24 Jan 2008Clough statue is chosen

Nottingham city centre is to be home to an eight-foot bronze statue of the late Brian Clough.

Lovingly known as 'old big 'ead', Clough spent the best part of his managerial career at Derby County and Nottingham Forest.

His greatest successes came at the Nottingham club, where he won a league titles, four league cups and two European Cups.

Since he died at the age of 69 from stomach cancer in 2004, plans have been in place to erect a statue of the controversial but popular figure for some time.

Three designs were put forward before a selection panel, include Clough family members, and the winning design by Les Johnson has been selected.

"It's a real pleasure and honour to be selected," Mr Johnson told the BBC.

"Brian has taken such an important place in the history of Nottingham so there's a certain amount of pressure there to get it right.

"I feel confident I can achieve the likeness of Brian as well as a very iconic figure that will stand in the centre of Nottingham," he added.

The statue, which will cost around £700,000, depicts Clough with his hands above his head as he salutes Forest fans.

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