The statue fund is edging ever closer to the target with a £1,400 boost from the latest eBay auction - thanks to buyers as far flung as Australia and the United States. This takes the fund to almost £54,000, ever closer to the target of raising £60,000 to create a lasting monument to the great man in Nottingham’s city centre.
The largest lot was £510 – for one of the gigantic banners that adorned the Council House during Brian Clough’s civic tribute in Nottingham, with other notable unique items such as an ‘Old Big ‘Ead’ sweater signed by Nigel Clough, Martin O’Neill and John Robertson, a football designed by fashionista Paul Smith, and a football signed by none other than Brazilian legend Pele.
A Forest shirt signed by the current squad will be winging its merry way down under – bought by an Australian bidder for £171, and perhaps bizarrely a programme signed by Kris Commons will be jet-setting it over the Atlantic to a new American home; who would’ve thought Kris would have such global appeal?
Rich Fisher from the statue fund said he was delighted with how much had been raised. “It’s another big step towards our target,” he said. “The auction had some rare items and bidding for the banner was hotting-up right until the deadline. We’re planning to have another internet auction soon to help us get nearer the £60,000 and we’re hoping that the ‘Clough Aid’ event will raise more money too.”
Tickets are still on sale for ‘Clough Aid’, a music event in aid of the statue fund. Several bands are playing a gig at the Rescue Rooms on Friday 15th December. The event is being organised by Nottingham-based band The Fakers. Other bands so far confirmed are Mint Ive and Delta Red. They’ve all been challenged to perfom a song made famous by Frank Sinatra – one of Cloughie’s favourite singers.
Tickets for Clough Aid, priced at £5, are available to buy from two different places in Nottingham city centre – the Rock City box office on Talbot Street, and Selectadisc Records on Market Street. Alternatively, they can be booked online with a debit or credit card, by visiting www.ltlf.co.uk/clough
The Fakers have set up a special webpage to help promote Clough Aid, where fans can listen to music recorded by the bands set to appear at the gig. This can be viewed at www.myspace.com/briancloughaid
Plans are afoot to add further bands and special guests to the line-up in the coming weeks – while the night will also feature DJs until 3am after the live music finishes.
The statue fund was set-up in June last year by a group of fans who are determined to see a lasting tribute to Brian Clough in Nottingham city centre. As well having the backing of Brian Clough’s family, the fund has the support of the city council, Nottingham Forest and the supporters club.
For the latest information on the statue fund and how to donate on-line, visit the non-profit making tribute website www.brianclough.com
People are still being encouraged to send donations. Cheques should be made payable to: ‘Nottingham City Council – Brian Clough Statue Fund’ and sent C/O Paul J. Ellis, PKF, Accountants & Business Advisers, Regent House, Clinton Avenue, Nottingham, NG5 1AZ.
Filed under: News
