Lead injection for Old Big 'Ead

The free-hanging leg is thought to have suffered a stress fracture

Molten lead could be pumped into a statue of Brian Clough in a bid to protect the late sporting legend from over-enthusiastic fans.

The 7ft bronze figure was erected last year at Albert Park in the footballer's home town of Middlesbrough.

A mysterious fracture, on the same leg which ended Clough's playing career in 1962, is thought to have been caused by children swinging on the statue.

The plans may mean the statue will not have to be permanently fenced off.

Since June it has been protected behind temporary fencing while an investigation into the extent and cause of the damage was carried out.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "The most important thing has been to find a solution which means the statue won't have to be permanently cordoned off.

"The plan at the moment is to drill holes in the damaged leg and fill it with lead.

Clough played for Middlesbrough and Sunderland

"We may need to take it away to carry out the work, but we're currently consulting structural engineers, along with the artist, to see if that will be necessary."

The statue, sculpted by Vivien Mallock, shows a 24-year-old Clough - affectionately known as Old Big 'Ead - with his boots slung over his shoulder striding towards Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough's former ground, on his way to training.

He began his career at Middlesbrough, later playing for neighbouring Sunderland, and went on to score 251 goals in 274 games for the two North East clubs.

Later he led Derby County and Nottingham Forest to league championships and won two European Cups with the Nottingham club in 1979 and 1980.

The former player and manager, awarded an OBE in 1991, died of cancer in September 2004, aged 69.

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