I almost found out by accident but was sworn to secrecy - which went to the extent of not telling Middlesbrough Council officers I was in a meeting with discussing the Brian Clough statue. But these kind of surprises are great aren't they. Makes it special when it is announced like this.As soon as I saw the announcement, my first thought was that you'd been deflecting on here the whole time.
Good decision to ensure the plinths match too.
I think the statue unveiling is timed for family and friends to be in attendance and coordinated with Ali Brownlee 5k also that evening. It will have been planned before the Sunderland game was rearranged - but lovely that the family can see it first, that is his son, George Junior and the grandchildren, before one of Boro's biggest crowds of the season on Monday night.
George Junior once told me a Boro v Sunderland memory he had from his father - remind me and I will retell it again on that weekend,