Sculptor Sam Holland has unveiled her latest work – a bronze of the Victorian founder of the football league.
Sam, from Upchurch, took four months to create the imposing figure of Aston Villa chairman William McGregor, who wrote to all the big football clubs proposing an organised league in 1888.
The bronze was unveiled outside the Birmingham club’s ground by Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney at the weekend.
Sam said she had enjoyed creating the piece at her Medway City Estate studio, saying: “He was just a wonderful character to portray with his huge beard – a real Victorian gentleman.”
The piece was well received by the Aston Villa Supporters Trust, which paid for the work.
The Trust’s Peter Warrilow said: “Everyone thought the sculpture was absolutely marvellous. It will be a meeting point for many years to come.
“He is perfectly in tune with his surroundings right in front of the directors’ entrance.”
The bronze sees McGregor in a flowing frockcoat clutching the letter he wrote to all the leading football clubs of the day.
It read: “I beg to tender…the following suggestion…that ten or twelve of the most prominent clubs in England combine to arrange home and away fixtures each season.”
McGregor served Aston Villa for more than 20 years and also took prominent roles in both the Football League and Football Association.
POSTED: 30/11/2009 15:36:21
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