The banner includes one of Clough's famous quotes

The special banner was part of a civic tribute put up in Nottingham city centre following his death last year.

The proceeds from the online auction of the item with a picture and a quote will benefit the Brian Clough Statue Fund, which has a �60,000 target.

It aims to put up a lasting memorial in Nottingham city centre to the former Forest and Derby County manager.

'Really incredible'

The double-sided banner was hung outside the city's Council House, with a picture of Cloughie alongside his famous quote: "If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there."

The banner was donated to the fund's committee by the city council, which administers the fund. Several were made, but it was the only one of its size featuring the quote.

The 10-day auction on eBay closed early on Monday morning. The winner who paid �970 has not yet been named.

Rich Fisher, from the Brian Clough Statue Committee, said: "We are absolutely delighted the banner has raised so much money for the fund.

"We knew that a special item like this would be hugely sought after by many football fans, but we never dreamed it would be sold for such an amount. It's really incredible."