Anger over Clough statue vandal attack
A CAMPAIGNER who played a key role in bringing the Brian Clough statue to the city says vandals who defaced it have let down thousands of fans.
Paul Ellis was chairman of the Brian Clough Statue Committee, which raised £70,000 for the monument.
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The vandalised statue of Brian Clough - picture by Tim Harris
He said: "It's terrible. I'm really upset.
"I can't believe anybody's done it to this person. He's such a popular person with everybody, even with non-Forest supporters.
"Thousands of people in Nottingham, and much further afield, will be upset because they gave the money.
"They gave hard-earned money for that statue, for a man who was so well-loved.
"Thousands of people have seen it, people come from all over the place just to look at it.
"Whenever I go past there's always somebody looking at it."
Vandals sprayed white paint over the former Forest manager's face and an 'S' on his jumper at around 10.20pm on Wednesday night.
The city council's Street Scene staff noticed it on their early morning patrols and the paint was cleaned off by 11.45am yesterday.
Chris Bailey, head of Street Scene, said: "It happened at about 10.23pm and we've got it on CCTV, whether we can identify the person for prosecution we don't know yet.
"The statue is brand new and it's important that we keep the quality up.
"It's just a shame because we have had very few problems with it, but there is always that potential that people will see it as an opportunity for mischief."
The graffiti caused outrage among shoppers and workers in the city centre yesterday.
Jamie Parker, 28, of Wollaton, said: "It's terrible. It's not good for Nottingham.
"It's just so disrespectful. Hopefully they will catch the people that did it."
Craig Wray, 20, a student from the city centre, said: "It's a bit cheeky really. It's disrespectful considering who it is and why it's been put there."
Diane Myers, a shop assistant at nearby Andersons florists, said: "I'm surprised it's not been done before, it's in the prime site for it.
"People come out of pubs after having a drink and it's an easy target."
Pat Turner, 64, of The Meadows, said: "It's awful. Why would anyone want to do that?
"They are just imbeciles, it's completely mindless."
Stan Gregory, 79, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, said: "It's very sad. I don't understand it."
The £70,000 statue, which sits at the junction of King Street and Queen Street was unveiled by Brian's widow Barbara Clough on November 6 as a crowd of more than 5,000 fans looked on.
It was created by world-renowned sculptor Les Johnson, who was chosen by a panel of judges, including Mrs Clough.
sarah.gillett@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
4 Comments
by Patrick E Tree, Nottingham
Saturday, May 23 2009, 9:27AM
“Should practice what I preach! Should read "that Cloughie was described as". Embarrassed, with egg on face!”
by Patrick E Tree, Nottingham
Saturday, May 23 2009, 9:24AM
“I hope the scumbag who did this is not afforded the luxury of anonimity when he's caught. I always had concerns about it's siting in the city centre; should have been outside the City Ground. What's also disgraceful is the Cloughie was described at "the former Forest captain" in this joke of a newspaper.
NEP aren't you supposed to proof read stuff before you go to print?”
by Wouldn't like, to be in your shoes my son
Friday, May 22 2009, 4:05PM
“If I were the culprit, my pants would be full by now, imagine his face plastered all over the papers.”
by Bibssy, Nottingham
Friday, May 22 2009, 1:42PM
“This is what is so embarrassing about our town, they try and do something nice, and to better the city and mindless idiots just spoil it for the rest of us. It's not even on a par to places like Manchester or Liverpoool.It's about time we stood up tto thugs like this, ctach em and make them clean the city up for a while!”