Simon Clough today paid tribute to the people who have made the Brian Clough Statue Fund a resounding success.

As the family prepare for Thursday’s unveiling of the statue near Nottingham’s Old Market Square, Brian’s elder son was fulsome in his praise for those who made it all happen.

He said: “As a family we cannot say enough about those who came up with the idea in the first place and then set about the task of raising so much money for the statue.

“Marcus Alton was the instigator of it all and without his idea and persistence the statue fund might never have got off the ground in the first place.

“His wife Sarah, together with Mick Mellors, Mike Simpson, Rich Fisher, Paul Lowe and the Chairman Paul Ellis then set about the task with great enthusiasm and it must be very rewarding for them now to see the project through to its conclusion.

“The Council Leader, Jon Collins, has also been very supportive but I would like to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to making it all possible.”

And he added: “It’s amazing really but working in Nottingham I do realise on a day-to-day basis how much my dad meant to so many people.

“I get stopped by them so often in the street it’s a wonder I get any work done!

“I know he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea – and goodness knows he used to drive me to distraction at times – but there is still enormous warmth and emotion shown to him 15 years after he left Forest and four years after his death.

“But I can understand it. I’m not a believer in reincarnation but I still get the feeling that he’s going to walk back into my life at some stage. He had that kind of presence that no one forgets.”

Nottingham is set for a day of celebration on Thursday as the city pays tribute to Brian Clough.

A statue of the legendary former Nottingham Forest manager is now in position near the Old Market Square ready for the unveiling by his wife Barbara.

Hundreds of well-wishers are expected to join current and former Forest stars and other VIPs for the 1pm ceremony.

However, the entertainment will start early with a big screen showing action and interviews from Forest’s glory days under Cloughie, from mid-morning onwards.

The day’s timetable is:

10:00 am – Archive footage of Forest’s European Cup triumphs

11:30 am – Tributes and recorded memories of Brian Clough

12.15 pm - Twiggy and Emma from Trent FM set the scene

12.30 pm – Gary Newbon hosts interviews with VIPs and former players

1:00 pm – Barbara Clough performs the unveiling

A limited edition replica of the Brian Clough Statue is now available. Only 1,000 copies of the replica will be produced. Orders can be placed at www.TheMediaGroup.tv/BrianClough