Tony 'Bomber' Brown 'thrilled and honoured' at news of statue
West Bromwich Albion legend Tony 'Bomber' Brown today said he was 'thrilled and honoured' as it was announced he would have a statue erected outside The Hawthorns.
The bronze sculpture will take pride of place outside the East Stand dedicated to his 20-year service to the Baggies.
Details of how the statue will look were today being kept a closely guarded secret before the grand unveiling ahead of the new season.
But work has already begun as landmovers were brought in to dig the foundations outside the stand's main entrance.
The statue, created by renowned sculptor Jonathan Wylder, has been two years in the making.
Bomber, who is the club's record appearance making and goalscorer, said he had been 'gobsmacked' to hear the club's plans from chairman Jeremy Peace.
"It's not something that you ever expect to happen so I was very surprised but I was thrilled and honoured," he said today.
"I have been in regular contact with the club and during the last two years I have been going to see the sculptor, who has done a terrific job at getting the details right.
"I always had a good relationship with the fans when I played and it is humbling when they call for something like this to happen.
"And a couple of the managers I played under also called for a statue, and it probably means even more when your colleagues appreciate you like that.
"I was very lucky. I played with some top players in some great teams and without them this wouldn't be happening."
Chairman Jeremy Peace added: "Tony is a West Bromwich Albion legend and it is only fitting that his immense contribution to the club will be celebrated in this way.
"He holds just about every club record there is and is one of the greatest players in our history.
"Of course, the most important factor in this process was Tony, and ensuring he was happy with the statue.
"Tony made several trips to Jonathan's studio in Oxfordshire to see, and give his opinion on, the work in progress."
Between 1961 and 1981, Bomber who joined Albion as a schoolboy, made 720 appearances, scoring 279 goals.
He also helped the club win the League Cup in 1966 and FA Cup in 1968.
Businessman Jim Cadman, who has been behind the Celebration Statue project to create a sculpture to recognise honour The Three Degrees, Laurie Cunningham, Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, said: "Tony Brown is Mr Albion. It is a fantastic honour and so richly deserved."
