The bronze statue of football legend Brian Clough in Middlesbrough’s Albert Park has been removed for specialist restoration. The 7-foot monument was taken away on May 19, 2026, to undergo repairs that are expected to take six to eight weeks.
The Middlesbrough Borough Council confirmed that contractors had to cut the statue above the ankles to remove it after efforts to lift the structure from its base were unsuccessful. The work follows several years of the landmark being fenced off due to recurring structural issues, specifically cracks in the standing leg. Specialist repairers will now join the sections together and install a new foundation block before returning the figure to the park.
The statue, created by sculptor Vivien Mallock, was originally unveiled on May 16, 2007. It depicts Clough, who scored 197 goals in 213 appearances for the club between 1955 and 1961, walking from his former home on Valley Road to the club’s old Ayresome Park ground. The £65,000 project was funded through donations, fundraising, and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke described the monument as a fitting tribute to one of the most significant figures in football history. He expressed hope that this latest restoration would provide a long-term solution so the statue can be enjoyed by visitors to Albert Park for many years to come.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
