Celebration of Three Degrees in town
A scale model of a statue being created in tribute to West Bromwich Albion's 'Three Degrees' has been unveiled.
Last month, plans to erect a 10ft bronze sculpture of legendary black footballers Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson MBE and Cyrille Regis MBE.
The sculpture, called 'The Celebration', will be located in West Bromwich town centre, and will acknowledge the achievements of the trio who paved the way for black footballers in this country.
The scheme is being led by Black Country businessman Jim Cadman with the help of Sandwell Council, and the sculpture will be unveiled on July 14 2014 the 25th anniversary of Laurie Cunningham's death.
World renowned sculpture Graham Ibbeson who created the famous statue of comedian Eric Morecambe will make the statue of the three players.
Mr Ibbeson who designed the statue from photographs said Mr Regis and Mr Batson will have their say on the sculpture throughout the construction process.
He said: "It is a long process and labour intensive to get it to the full size sculpture. I do the design but then hand it over to the foundry to create. I will then be back and forth making sure everything is right."
Mr Regis said he was delighted with the scale model.
He said: "The support shown for the statue has been fantastic, and I think it is wonderful that period of football in West Bromwich is being recognised. Having three black players in one team was at that time, ground breaking. It was an important breakthrough in the game."
Sandwell Council's leader Darren Cooper was at a foundry based close to the Hawthorns ground in West Bromwich with Mr Regis and Mr Ibbeson to unveil the statue.
He said: "Seeing the scale model of the statue has made me even more excited about this project. It will only add to all of the fantastic work taking place to make West Bromwich one of the must visit towns in the region."
The trio were given the nickname of the Three Degrees, after the Motown group of the same name, by their manager Ron Atkinson.
