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Cloughie's Back

9th June 2009

Type: News

Categories: Love Middlesbrough News

Brian Clough Statue in Albert Park Cloughie's back in Albert Park after injury treatment.

His beloved Boro may have been relegated, but Cloughie's returning to Albert Park with a renewed spring in his step.

And Boro fans will be hoping the legend's return from injury will be a good omen to herald their beleaguered side back into the top flight at the earliest opportunity.

The 7ft bronze statue has been on the treatment table since March to address a leg injury which flared up last year.

The figure has been a huge hit since it was unveiled in the Park in May, 2007 - on the route Clough would walk from his home in Valley Road to his beloved Ayresome Park.

Park officials spotted a stress fracture in the statue's supporting leg, possibly caused by fans sitting or leaning the free leg.

Expert views - including advice from a leading metallurgist at Teesside University - were sought on possible long-term solutions to the problem, in consultation with sculptor Vivien Mallock.

Ian Busby from Middlesbrough Council sought expert advice on how to repair the statue from Dr Paul Shelton, an Assistant Dean in Educational Partnerships in Teesside University's School of Science & Technology.

Paul, from Great Ayton, is a metallurgist by profession and has lectured in engineering at the University for 14 years. He also acts as an engineering consultant for local companies and said: "My ideas were to either secure the leg with a pin which would be unsightly or to slightly change the statue so it looked as though he was coming down a step.

"The statue has been restored by Laurence Flood of Bronze Restorations. Laurence agreed to my suggestion as did the statue's sculptor Vivien Mallock. It was quite gratifying that my advice was followed. I'm looking forward to seeing what the restorers have done with the new version."

In March the statue was removed from the Park and taken to the Bronze Restorations foundry in Surbiton, Surrey where the repair work has been carried out. It will be restored on a newly-built stone plinth on Tuesday, June 9.

Councillor Paul Thompson, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Streetscene Services, said: "I'm delighted that a long-term solution has been found and that Cloughie is back in his rightful place in Albert Park.

"The statue has been a major attraction and is a fitting tribute to one of the town's legendary figures."

Councillor John McPartland, chairman of the Brian Clough Statue Fundraising Committee, said: "Brian's countless fans will be delighted that his statue has returned and that thanks to some innovative work is still as accessible as ever.

"It would be nice to think his return to the Park coincides with an upturn in the fortunes of Middlesbrough Football Club!"

Bronze Restorations Contracts Manager Laurence Flood said: "We had a lot of input from various parties to come up with the right strategy to secure the statue's long-term future.

"It has been a pleasure to be involved in the project and I'm sure the statue will be enjoyed by visitors to Albert Park for many years to come."