UK Stadiums: Statues at Football Grounds
Statues of famous players, managers and even the odd owner are a growing trend at soccer stadiums in Britain. Almost ever major ground seems to have a statue or two nowadays.
Statues outside football stadiums in Britain have become an important part of the game's culture. They act as lasting tributes to legendary players, managers, and significant moments in a club's history. They also serve as focal points for fans to pay their respects with scarves and flowers often left on special occasions.
History and Evolution
The tradition of erecting statues outside football stadiums in Britain began in earnest in the late 20th century, though commemorative plaques and busts did exist before then. Advances in sculpture techniques, coupled with increased financial resources in the modern game, have led to a rise in the number of these tributes.
Statues serve several functions: they honor legendary figures, strengthen the connection between a club and its fans, and act as landmarks for stadium visitors. Some of the earliest football statues were erected to commemorate players who had tragically passed away, while more recent ones celebrate achievements and special moments.
There are also some notable examples overseas now.
Famous Statues Outside British Football Stadiums
1. Sir Matt Busby (Old Trafford, Manchester United)
Located outside Manchester United's Old Trafford, this statue honors Sir Matt Busby, the manager who rebuilt the club after the Munich Air Disaster and led them to European glory in 1968.
2. Sir Alex Ferguson (Old Trafford, Manchester United)
Unveiled in 2012, this statue celebrates Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in British football history, who won 13 Premier League titles with Manchester United. There is also a statue of Fergie outside Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen in his native Scotland.
3. The "United Trinity" (Old Trafford, Manchester United)
A statue of George Best, Denis Law, and Sir Bobby Charlton stands outside Old Trafford, commemorating the three legendary players who played a key role in United's European Cup triumph in 1968.
4. Bill Shankly (Anfield, Liverpool)
Outside Liverpool's Anfield stadium stands a statue of Bill Shankly, the legendary manager credited with transforming the club into a dominant force in English and European football. The statue bears his famous words: "He made the people happy." There is also a stand named after Shankly at Preston's Deepdale. The terraced housing around Anfield also has a rich and growing collection of Liverpool murals.
5. Bob Paisley and Emlyn Hughes (Anfield, Liverpool)
A more recent addition at Anfield, this statue shows former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley carrying an injured Emlyn Hughes a future Reds captain from the field in 1968.
6. Herbert Chapman (Emirates Stadium, Arsenal)
Arsenal honored Herbert Chapman, their revolutionary manager from the 1930s, with a statue outside the Emirates Stadium, recognizing his contributions to modern football tactics.
7. Tony Adams (Emirates Stadium, Arsenal)
A statue of Arsenal captain Tony Adams, famous for leading the club to multiple league titles, was unveiled in 2011 to celebrate his influence on the Gunners as captain of "The Invincibles" in the 2003-004 season.
8. Bobby Moore (Wembley Stadium, London)
The most famous statue at Wembley Stadium is that of Bobby Moore, England's World Cup-winning captain in 1966. It stands as a national tribute to one of the country's greatest players. The impressive statue of Moore was designed by Philip Jackson and commissioned by the Football Association (FA). The statue was unveiled when the new Wembley Stadium opened in 2007. The statue overlooks Wembley Way down to Wembley Park Station. The bronze statue is 6.1 meter tall set on a stone plinth [1].
9. Jimmy Hill (Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry City)
A statue of Jimmy Hill, a former player, manager, and television pundit, stands outside Coventry City's stadium, honoring his contributions to both the club and football in general. The man himself unveiled the work in 2011.
10. Billy Bremner and Don Revie (Elland Road)
Billy Bremner and manager Don Revie both have statues at Elland Road (Leeds United). During his time as manager of Leeds United, Don Revie won a total of six major trophies: two Football League First Division titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.
11. Michael Jackson (Formerly Outside Craven Cottage, Fulham)
One of the most unusual statues was that of pop star Michael Jackson, commissioned by then-Fulham owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. It was placed outside Craven Cottage in 2011 but was later removed after fan controversy.
12. Gordon Banks (Bet365 Stadium)
A life-size bronze sculpture of Gordon Banks by local sculptor Andy Edwards stands on Stanley Matthews Way outside the Bet365 Stadium. Banks joined another former Stoke icon, Stanley Matthews, whose statues (three nine-foot statues showing Matthews at different stages of his career) are also at the stadium.
13. Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler (Meadow Lane)
Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler are commemorated with statues outside Notts County's Meadow Lane. Jimmy Sirrel, widely regarded as the club's greatest manager, leading Notts County to promotions to the First Division in the 1980s. The statue of Sirrel with his trainer Jack Wheeler is entitled "Legends of the Lane".
14. Brian Clough and Peter Taylor (Pride Park)
Standing outside Pride Park are statues in honor of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. The duo won the 1972 league title with Derby County during a six-year spell at the club from 1967.
15. World Cup Heroes (Tameside Stadium)
The World Cup Heroes by sculptor Andy Edwards stands outside Tameside Stadium in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, northwest England. The work in bronze was unveiled in 2010. The plaque reads "This statue stands as a testament to Tameside's place in football history as the birthplace of three men who hold World Cup winner's medals. Sir Geoff Hurst MBE England 1966 (b Ashton 1941). Jimmy Armfield OBE England 1966 (b Denton 1935). Simone Perrotta Italy 2006 (b Ashton 1977)."[2]
16. Dave Whelan Statue (The Brick Community Stadium)
Former owner and chairman Dave Whelan with the FA Cup has stood outside The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan since 2016. Dave himself unveiled the life-size figure. "I'm really, really over the moon with the statue," he said.
17. Walter Smith Statue (Ibrox)
Legendary Rangers boss Walter Smith is remembered at Ibrox in Glasgow, Scotland. The bronze statue by Douglas Jennings was unveiled in 2024. Smith steered Rangers to 10 league titles, five Scottish Cups as well as six League Cups.
18. Danny Bergara
Hannah Stewart's bronze statue of Danny Bergara stands outside Stockport County's Edgeley Park. Unveiled in 2023 by the Uruguayan ambassador to the UK, the work commemorates Danny Bergara's time as manager of The Hatters from 1989-1995.
19. Jim Mclean
The two-meter tall bronze statue of Jim Mclean by sculptor Alan Heriot outside Tannadice Park in Dundee, Scotland was unveiled in 2021. It shows the manager lifting the Premier Division trophy, won by Dundee United in 1983 for the only time in the club's history.
20. Johnny Haynes
A statue of Fulham legend Johnny Haynes (1934-2005) by London-based sculptor Douglas Jennings stands outside Craven Cottage. Haynes is considered Fulham's greatest ever player with 146 goals in 594 appearances. The work was unveiled in 2008. Another statue at the ground, also by Douglas Jennings, portrays World Cup winner George Cohen (1939-2022). It was unveiled in 2016. One club man Cohen played 459 times for The Cottagers.
21. Jack Hayward
Born close to Molineux and a lifelong Wolves fan, millionaire businessman Sir Jack Hayward (1923-2015) bought the club in 1990 and invested heavily in the ground. He also provided successive managers with financial resources to acquire players, but it was not until 2003 that Wolverhampton Wanderers finally regained top-flight status, albeit for only one season. Altogether, it is estimated he spent around £70m of his personal finance on the club during his tenure. The 10 foot bronze statue on a stone plinth by James Butler was unveiled in 2018. Butler also created the Billy Wright and Stan Cullis statues at the stadium.
22. Francis Lee, Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee
In 2023 Manchester City unveiled the club's version of rival United's 'Holy Trinity'. Francis 'Franny' Lee, Colin Bell, and Mike Summerbee were contemporaries and, indeed, friends of Best, Charlton and Law in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The statues are by Irish sculptor David Williams-Ellis. City won the 1968 First Division, the 1969 FA Cup, the 1970 Cup Winners Cup and the League Cup during Lee, Bell and Summerbee's time at the club. More recent City legends are celebrated with statues of Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva outside the Etihad Stadium.
23. Billy McNeill
A statue of Celtic captain Billy McNeill lifting the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967 stands outside Celtic Park in Glasgow. The work by Scottish sculptor John McKenna on Celtic Way was unveiled in 2015 by Billy McNeill himself along with his grandchildren. McNeill made a record 790 appearances for the club and won 9 Scottish League championships as is recorded on the plinth.
24. Nat Lofthouse
Bolton Wanderers and England icon Nat Lofthouse is remembered with a statue outside the Trotters' Toughsheet Community Stadium (formerly the Reebok, Macron, and University of Bolton Stadium). The 2.7 meter (9 foot) bronze work is by sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn, who is also responsible for statues of Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey both outside Portman Road in Ipswich. Nat Lofthouse's statue in Bolton was unveiled in 2013. Lofthouse played his entire professional career for Bolton Wanderers from 1946 to 1960. A legendary striker, he scored 255 goals in 452 league appearances for the club.
25. Sir Alf Ramsey; Sir Bobby Robson; Kevin Beattie
Portman Road is home to several statues of Ipswich Town greats including Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Bobby Robson (see below) and Kevin Beattie.The statue of Sir Alf by Sean Hedges-Quinn at the corner of Portman Road and Sir Alf Ramsey Way was unveiled in 2000. The ceremony was attended by his wife Lady Victoria Ramsey, Sir Bobby Charlton, and surviving members of Sir Alf's 1961 league-winning team. Sir Bobby Robson's statue dates from 2002 and is also the work of Sean Hedges-Quinn. The latest in Hedges-Quinn's series is Kevin Beattie unveiled in 2021 on what would have been his 68th birthday.
References
[1] Bobby Moore Statue - Britain All Over
[2] World Cup Heroes - Britain Visitor
UK Stadiums
Kirklees Stadium (John Smith's Stadium)
Gallery
Overseas
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