 Brian Clough was famous for his uncompromising opinions |
Tributes have been paid from all parts of the East Midlands to football legend Brian Clough. Clough, who died of stomach cancer on Monday, aged 69, led unfashionable Forest from the second division to two successive European Cups.
He also led Derby County to the domestic championship in 1972 and is widely regarded as one of the best English managers of all time.
Books of condolence have been opened and fans have flocked to both grounds.
One Forest fan made the trip to Pride Park on Tuesday to pay his respects: "He breathed life into two football clubs and gave a lot of respect to these people.
"It's a very sad day and fortunately, or unfortunately really, Forest and Derby are united and that doesn't happen very often."
Nottingham Forest manager Joe Kinnear hailed the "unique" ability of Brian Clough and claimed he was arguably more famous than Robin Hood.
He said: "Brian Clough was a unique manager who took Nottingham Forest from obscurity to the First Division title and then two successive European Cups. "His achievements with the club are everywhere to be seen around the ground and I have no doubt that he is up there with the best managers of all time, Bill Nicholson and Bill Shankly included.
"He is as synonymous with Nottingham as Robin Hood is and Cloughie is arguably the more famous of the two."
Clough also took Derby County to the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1973.
Current Rams manager George Burley said: "Brian was one of this country's greatest ever managers with a style of his own.
"We will never see his type again.
"He was a unique talent, a tremendous manager of people and one of the most remarkable characters our game has seen."
The books of condolence at the council offices and Pride Park will be sent to Brian Clough's family after the funeral.
Marcus Alton runs a website dedicated to 'Cloughie' and had campaigned for him to be given a knighthood.
He said: "Obviously Forest fans from all over the world have held such great affection for him. We will never forget all the achievements, taking us out of the wilderness really and making us European champions."
A decision on a lasting tribute will be made by Derby and Forest in the next few days.
There will be a minute's silence at their next home games but the Football League are yet to decide on a fitting memorial for the influential manager.
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Brian was one of this country's greatest ever managers with a style of his own 
