Brian Clough is already a freeman of Nottingham and Derby

Clough's MP Bob Laxton has backed the campaign and will help present completed forms at Downing Street. Fans' tribute website brianclough.com is behind the move.

The petition forms will be available at Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Middlesborough and Hartlepool stands on the Bank Holiday weekend.

The knighthood campaign has already won the backing of Gary Lineker, Jimmy Greaves, Trevor Francis and John McGovern.

He'll always be a Sir in my eyes Alan Curbishley

Website editor Marcus Alton said: "This is one last push to get the ultimate honour for Brian Clough.

"Cloughie is a national treasure. Perhaps if he'd been England manager the national game wouldn't be in the current mess.

"But it's a race against time because of a committee of MPs recently concluded the honours system is too secretive and recommended that knighthoods should be phased-out.

"Well, this is our chance to make sure the honours officials can't ignore public opinion."

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley said: "Brian Clough's career as a manager is second to none, a feat that will never be equalled again. He'll always be a Sir in my eyes."

Liver transplant

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy added: "For Brian's commitment and achievements in football over the years I think he would be worthy recipient of a knighthood."

Clough, who underwent a liver transplant in January 2003, is already an Order of the British Empire and a freeman of both Nottingham and Derby.

He led both Derby County and Nottingham Forest to league championships and also won two European Cups with the Nottingham club.

As a player, Clough won two England caps and scored 251 goals in 274 games as a striker for Middlesbrough and Sunderland.