Football legend Brian Clough has never been backward in coming forward.

Cloughie's sharp tongue has been the hallmark of the former Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager. But the lad from Middlesbrough's Grove Hill was left speechless on his home turf yesterday.

A beaming Brian could only nod his head in acknowledgement and blow his audience a kiss as he was made a Doctor of Science, receiving his honorary degree from Professor Graham Henderson, Vice Chancellor of the University of Teesside.

After the ceremony, Cloughie finally found his tongue and said he was "pleased as punch" about his honour.

"It's just the icing on the cake," he said. "I was born and bred here; my brothers and sisters still live here, so it's a bit like coming home."

Cloughie, who attended Grove Hill Primary School, joined Middlesbrough Football Club, before playing for Sunderland and England.

He started his management career at Hartlepool, and became the only British football manager to win the European Cup twice in successive years.

Sharing the rostrum with him at the town hall were television personality Shiulie Ghosh and opera singer Suzannah Clarke, who were made Masters of Arts. Judge Peter Fox, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, and Professor Derek Fraser, former university vice chancellor, were created honorary Doctors of Law.

More than 3,000 graduates from the university received their degrees, diplomas and certificates this week.