Brian Clough was a freeman of Nottingham and Derby

Clough, who had a liver transplant in January 2003, was a member of the Order of the British Empire.

He led both Derby County and Nottingham Forest to league championships and won two European Cups with the Nottingham club in 1979-80.

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

Supporters of the former Nottingham Forest and Derby County manager had launched a national petition to get him knighted.

Second to none

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

Brian Clough's career as a manager is second to none, a feat that will never be equalled again Alan Curbishley

Clough, who lived in Derby, had spoken frankly about his alcohol abuse, which he has blamed for his health problems.

He was given an honorary doctor of science degree at Middlesbrough Town Hall by the university's chancellor Sir Leon Brittan in November 2003.

Football manager Alan Curbishley had praised him in an earlier interview, saying: "Brian Clough's career as a manager is second to none, a feat that will never be equalled again."

Former England manager Graham Taylor said: "He will always have the title 'The greatest England manager we never had'."

Clough had been diagnosed with stomach cancer but only became seriously ill with the condition in the past week.

A Derby City hospital spokeswoman said: "Brian was an in-patient at Derby City General Hospital, and his family were with him when he passed away in hospital."

"They would like to thank the donor family for allowing Brian to have 21 months of health and happiness.