STATUE FUND LAUNCH 2005
The actor Colin Tarrant helped to kick-start a fund to raise money for a statue of Brian Clough in Nottingham.
Organisers launched the fund with the aim of raising around £60,000 for a sculpture in Nottingham city centre.
Colin, who was starring as the Great Man in a tribute play at Nottingham Playhouse, joined fund-raisers at a launch event (17th June, 2005).
The Brian Clough Statue Fund Committee was a small group of fans who were determined to see a lasting tribute to their hero in the city centre. The committee was put together by Marcus Alton, who had liaised with the Clough family first. He had launched this website and organised the knighthood campaign.
The fund had the support of the city council, Nottingham Forest FC, the Forest Supporters Club, this tribute website and the Reds fanzines Lost That Loving Feeling and Blooming Forest. Other committee members not on the photo were Mike Simpson, who was unable to attend the launch, and Paul Lowe, who joined the committee later.
Brian's son Simon told the Nottingham Evening Post: "To have a statue would be very fitting and as a family we would be immensely proud if they manage to raise the money."
The leader of the city council, Jon Collins, gave the fund his personal backing. "I hope the fund will go from strength to strength," he said at the time. "I am 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.
"You only have to look at the response of people who attended the civic tribute which we held in Nottingham to see what Brian Clough meant to the people of Nottinghamshire and beyond."
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."
The tram driver was even allowed to wear his Nottingham Forest shirt for the launch event.