The bronze likeness of Brian Clough has been reinstated in Albert Park, Middlesbrough, after restoration work that began when a crack was discovered in the statue's leg earlier this year.
What was done
The council confirmed that contractors were unable to relocate the statue with its base intact, so the figure was temporarily cut above the ankles to remove it for repairs. The feet were subsequently reattached and the sculpture fixed to a new foundation block to improve its stability.
- Location: Near the Dorman Museum entrance, Albert Park
- Height: 7ft (2.1m)
- Original installation: 2007
- Reason for removal: Crack in standing leg
Civic context and visitor measures
The council has also created a new flower bed around the plinth. Officials say the planting is intended to gently discourage visitors from climbing on or placing weight on the statue — a practical response to repeated access issues that had led to the piece being fenced off for several years before these works.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1935 | Brian Clough born in Middlesbrough |
| 1955–1961 | Made more than 200 appearances for Middlesbrough FC |
| 2007 | Statue installed in Albert Park |
| May 2026 | Removed for repair after crack found |
| July 2026 | Reinstalled following restoration |
"Cloughie is one of Middlesbrough's most famous sons and a footballing giant, so it's fantastic to welcome the statue back to its rightful home in Albert Park," Mayor Chris Cooke said.
Born locally in 1935, Clough played for the club in the 1950s and went on to a managerial career that earned him national acclaim. The council described the refreshed memorial as the original work restored in full and placed back where residents have long associated it with the park and the town's sporting heritage.
The restored installation may also prompt renewed interest in the park among visitors and fans. For residents, the works close a chapter in a history of intermittent repairs to the piece, which has been fenced off periodically since concerns about its condition emerged.
Visitors are advised to respect the protection measures now in place around the statue while photographs and local engagement resume. The council has not indicated further planned changes to the park surrounding the memorial.
