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One of the legends of English football, Sir Tom Finney, has been recognised in a permanent tribute to his outstanding career.
After a number of years of fundraising and thanks to contributions from the general public, The National Football Museum, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Preston North End a statue has been unveiled outside the Museum and stadium on Sir Tom Finney Way.
The sculpture, based on the award winning ‘Splash' photograph of Sir Tom playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in August 1956, has been created by artist Peter Hodgekinson.
Mark Bushell from the Museum said:
“This is a tremendous reward for one of the best players England has ever produced. Sir Tom had exceptional skills and played at outside-right, outside-left and centre forward. He scored 30 goals in 76 England appearances, a very high ratio on the International stage. He amassed 433 League appearances and scored a highly respectable 187 league goals. He was idolised by his fellow professionals which is always a sign of a true great.”
The Museum sees the statue, along with the impressive Museum entrance, becoming major landmarks in the City.
As Museum Director Kevin Moore explained:
“The sculpture incorporates an impressive water feature making it arguably the most original statue of its type outside a football ground. It will act as a beacon to traffic around the area and help guide visitors into the Museum. The Museum honours all the footballing greats within its exhibitions and perhaps this is just the start of honouring them more conspicuously outside the Museum.”