This is the first proper glimpse of the 9ft statue depicting FA Cup-winning Cardiff City captain Fred Keenor, which will soon stand proudly outside the club’s stadium.
Progress on the statue was unveiled yesterday to show fans the towering statue which, when finished, will be mounted on a 5ft plinth.
Artist Roger Andrews, who was chosen by Cardiff City fans to create a likeness of the iconic Bluebirds skipper, said: “What I do with every commission is I try to get into the character of the figure which I’ve been asked to portray.
“With Fred I thought he’s the captain of the 1927 winning side who won the FA Cup and brought it to Wales – the first time it has been outside of England – and he’s got to be absolutely overjoyed.
“I wanted him clutching the cup to his chest with a really happy expression on his face and waving, partly to the fans and partly to Ninian Park as he will be facing in that direction.”
The Llantwit Major-based sculptor, who also created the bronze statue of Sir Tasker Watkins outside the Millennium Stadium, was chosen for the project by Cardiff City fans.
Just over two years ago the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust launched the appeal to raise £85,000 for the project.
On Monday, the Echo revealed Cardiff City Football Club and the Football Association of Wales have agreed to meet the remaining £14,000 needed to meet the target.
The sculpture is in the clay stage and soon Mr Andrews will take moulds of it before they will be sent to the foundry go to be produced into its bronze form.
It is hoped the statue will be erected in September, a fitting tribute to the man who epitomised the Bluebirds’ 1927 win. It was feared Keenor might never play football again after he was injured during World War I.
But he returned to the field and went on to captain City at Wembley on April 23, 1927, when they triumphed 1-0 over Arsenal – the only time the trophy has been won by a club outside England.
“Its been a pleasure to work on this project,” said Mr Andrews a dad of three. “And a pleasure to work with the guys on the Cardiff City Supporters Trust I’ve been working with them for two-and-a-half-years and it has been such an enjoyable experience.”
Tim Hartley, chairman of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust, said: “The statue is superb and we’re looking forward to having it cast and erected, hopefully before the start of next season.”
“This just shows what can happen when we all pull together to make this statue of one of our all time heroes a reality.”
David Craig, project manager of the Fred Keenor Appeal, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Cardiff City and the Football Association have confirmed they will meet the shortfall of £14,000. This is brilliant news.”
“The club, which has been hugely supporting this appeal since 2010 and we were delighted when they confirmed they would meet 50% of the remaining amount.
“In addition, Jonathan Ford, chief executive of the FAW, has also confirmed that they will also be contributing 50%. They, too, have been very supportive of the appeal.
“Both Cardiff City and the FAW have recognised that Fred Keenor is a Welsh sporting icon.
“This appeal has been very much a grassroots-led initiative and the fans of Cardiff City and Wales have been fantastic in their support for the appeal as have been a number of businesses.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to Cardiff City Supporters Club and the independent coach operators who took fans to the Carling Cup Final. They raised almost £4,500, which was superb.”
Cardiff council has provided £15,000 and the Welsh Government contributed £5,000. Supporters have donated varying amounts of up to £500 as well as buying the memorabilia sold in aid of the appeal.
