GENEROUS
funding provided by the Professional Footballers’ Association
(PFA) has ensured that sculptor Graham Ibbeson is now working on
the final phase of the £220,000 Celebration Statue.
Plans are now being put in place to unveil the
ten foot high bronze statue in the New Square in the heart of the
regenerated West Bromwich town centre in early March 2019.
The unveiling ceremony will coincide with the 41st
anniversary of ‘The Three Degrees’ - Laurie Cunningham,
Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson -
playing together for West Bromwich Albion for the first time in
the 2-2 draw at Ipswich Town in March 1978.
Representing ‘art in action’ as Cunningham,
Regis and Batson celebrate a goal being scored, the statue symbolises
more than just one goal – it is about the ground-breaking
influence the trio had in overcoming racist taunts and prejudice
at football grounds throughout England. They responded to this prejudice
in style by playing attractive football, scoring spectacular goals
and winning matches.
The late 1970s and early 1980s was one of the proudest
chapters in West Bromwich Albion’s history. It catapulted
the West Midlands club onto the world stage and saw the doors opening
for young black footballers to get an opportunity in the professional
game for the first time.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor OBE said: “The
PFA has been determined to get this important tribute to “The
Three Degrees” over the line and mark their great contribution
to football and equality for time immemorial.”
Jim Cadman, who has led the campaign for
the Celebration Statue, added: “The Three Degrees were true
pioneers of the game who made genuine football history in West Bromwich.
The Celebration Statue will convey passion, strength and achievement
to a global football audience and support the fight to remove all
aspects of racism from our beautiful game. |