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.

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