A digital tribute to legendary Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough has been praised by his son Simon as it marks its 25th anniversary.
The non-profit website, brianclough.com, was launched on 8th August 2000 and has since helped to raise thousands of pounds for the types of good causes Cloughie supported.
It was founded by the former journalist and now PR expert and author Marcus Alton, who hosts the popular Green Jumper podcast which is also in tribute to Clough. The website even has the email address [email protected] in memory of Clough’s famous phrase.
Commenting on the anniversary, Simon Clough said it was wonderful to know that the website had grown in popularity over the years and still had visitors from around the world.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that the tribute website has reached such a significant anniversary,” said Simon.
“Although my father was not really from the computer generation (in fact he probably wouldn’t have known what a computer was if it bit him!), I am sure the website would have made him smile.
“He certainly thought it was tremendous to receive all the e-mails from fans which were forwarded to him by Marcus. It is very comforting to know that my father is still thought of so fondly by so many people.
“As a family, we would like to send a big thank you to everyone who has visited the site and sent their tributes.”
Marcus, who interviewed Brian several times, launched the website without any previous web-editing experience and used a book to teach himself the technical codes required. He was soon receiving emails from Clough fans around the world.
The site later became the home of the knighthood campaign and the statue fund group which raised the money for, and commissioned, the bronze statue of Brian in Nottingham city centre.
Said Marcus: “The website has always been a labour of love. I’m proud it’s led to the brilliant bronze statue, my five Cloughie books supporting good causes and the Green Jumper podcast which now has thousands of listeners in more than 90 countries.”
Simon Clough added: “Back in 2010, my Mum congratulated Marcus on the website’s tenth anniversary and hoped it would it go from strength to strength. I’m sure she, too, would be proud and delighted that it continues to reflect my father’s legacy and the positive impact he had on so many people.”
To celebrate the anniversary, Marcus auctioned off a book personally signed by Brian Clough. The proceeds were shared between the running costs of the website and Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Nottingham.
The book was a copy of Cloughie’s autobiography ‘Walking on Water’ which he signed ‘Very Best Wishes, Brian Clough’ during one of his meetings with Marcus.