Former football manager Brian Clough is set to be honoured with an award that has not been handed out for 35 years.

Derby City Council is to make the former Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager a freeman of the city in a ceremony later this year.

The 67-year-old Middlesbrough-born football manager led Derby to the league championship and took Nottingham Forest to both the league and European championships.

The city council is to hold a special meeting on 12 February to consider recognising his 40-year involvement with the game and dedication to the city.

Illuminated scroll

Clough would become the only living freeman of the city and the first individual to receive the award since 1968.

The last two organisations to get the award were the Royal Navy Submarine Service and the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters.

Clough, who still lives in Derby, led Derby County to the top of the league in the early 1970s, when Rolls-Royce was in financial difficulty.

Brian Clough's Career

Two England caps in 1959 League Championship with Derby in 1972 European Cup winners with Nottingham Forest in 1979 and 1980

Derby City Council spokeswoman Theresa Knight said: "Rolls-Royce got into financial trouble - and he took the team to the top - there was a lot of gloom in the city and his success helped dispel that."

The honour comes with an illuminated scroll and a porcelain casket.

"There is a feeling that he has given so much time to the city and continued to keep his links here - he even lived here when he was managing in the south of England," she said.

Council leader Chris Williamson said: "Brian Clough's footballing achievements are legendary in Derby and throughout the UK.

"Even when he went to manage Nottingham Forest, he never forgot his roots here in Derby.

"He is still loved by the people of Derby and it is only fitting that we should discuss giving him the highest honour the city can bestow, which in my view is long overdue."