Video: People of Notts give their thoughts on whether the Brian Clough statue should move
An online petition has been launched to move the Brian Clough statue from Old Market Square to the City Ground.
The statue of the legendary former Nottingham Forest boss is on Speakers’ Corner off the square in the city centre.
Now one Forest fan has set up the online bid for a move amid concerns the monument could end up being damaged by crowds or passersby.
The plinth of the statue is often used as a platform for speakers at demonstrations.
The bronze statue itself is owned by the Brian Clough Statue fund, and was unveiled in 2008.
One supporters’ group has already said it does not support the petition, which has 34 signatures, adding the statue has wider significance beyond Forest.
Clough led the Reds to back-to-back European Cups, in 1979 and 1980, with the success documented in a book – called I Believe in Miracles – written by Daniel Taylor and a subsequent film directed by Jonny Owen.
Some supporters, who have already signed the petition, say the monument belongs at the stadium where he led the club to unprecedented success.
A spokesman for supporters’ group Forza Garibaldi said Clough “did a lot for the community and the city” and should be appreciated by more than just Forest supporters.
“Clough was a man of the people and the statue’s prominent position is a huge tribute to him,” the spokesman added.
“The position at Speakers’ Corner is also rather fitting given Clough’s outspoken nature and it serves as a presence for the club in the city and a focal point for various gatherings.”
The statue was used as the starting point for a fans’ walk to mark the club’s 150th anniversary last year.
Reds fan Des Oldham echoed the views of Forza Garibaldi, saying the statue in the city centre is befitting of a man who “put Nottingham on the map”.
He added: “People, who have no interest in football, now come to Nottingham and take photos with Brian Clough.
“The fact that it looks down to the Council House, there’s something quite symmetrical about it. It’s fitting because Brian Clough used to pose by the Council House holding trophies.”
The statue was unveiled by relatives including Brian’s wife, Barbara, in front of a crowd of 4,000 people in 2008.
Forza Garibaldi added a tribute outside the ground to commemorate Clough, his former assistant Peter Taylor, and players, would be welcome.
“The best idea, in our opinion, would be to replace the gates into the Peter Taylor Stand car park with ‘Miracle Gates’,” the spokesman said.
“This would not just commemorate Clough but also Peter Taylor and the players and staff who more than contributed to those remarkable years.”
But other people have complained the statue is often a target for drinkers at night and is at risk because of the number of protests which have gathered there.
Last August, an English Defence League rally congregated by the statue, and there have been two protests against Donald Trump close to the statue, with crowds gathering at Speakers’ Corner to hear speakers using the plinth.
Of the people who have signed the petition, set up by Bal Cheema, some have left comments, with one person posting: “The statue should be where Brian did all his good work, it will always be his ground. While it’s in the place it is now, it to often used by drunks to swing off.”
Nathan Paychett, from Grantham, said: “It should be at the City Ground because that’s where it belongs, he did well at the City Ground and his statue should be placed there.”
Gareth Morgan, who lives on Radford Road, added: “Clough should be where he was most influential – at the City Ground – and not at Nottingham’s historic Speakers’ Corner, where he’s often an unhelpful backdrop for all manner of protests and rallies.”
Jack Bryan said: “I’m not sure why it was ever put in the city centre in the first place, to be honest. I’d definitely prefer it at the City Ground.”
During Clough’s reign Forest won two European Cups, a European Super Cup, a League Championship and four League Cups.
The monument was funded by the Brian Clough Statue Fund, a group of volunteers who raised around £70,000 by selling Clough-related merchandise, organising fund-raising events and accepting donations from the public.
Other clubs around the country have commemorated their former managers by erecting statues outside their grounds – including Sir Alex Ferguson, outside Old Trafford in Manchester, Newcastle’s Sir Bobby Robson, outside St James’ Park, and Billy Bremner, at Elland Road, Leeds.
Notts TV has contacted the Brian Clough Statue Fund for comment.
