I vote Lucy Pinder in a waxwork form rather than bronze I agree with Chilco above. Massive respect for Lawrie but Bates is a different case entirely. Maybe we will have a trinity with a Le Tiss, Lawrie Mac and Terry Paine.
Ipswich have statues for both Sir Alf Ramsay and Sir Bobby Robson and either one does not diminish what the other achieved. Lets not forget that Ted Bates also has a trophy, Lawrie has a picture, I think that we can all agree that he deserves a bit more of a tribute than that, even Jimmy Hill has a statue at Coventry ffs.
I think that's the whole point of the the thread. In some people's mind he Is a legend whilst in others he was just a decent manager for a few years.
I've only been to the Rose bowl a handful of times as I'm very much a casual cricket observer but I don't recall passing a statue of David Gower or Robin Smith. I didn't take my seat in the Shane Warne stand. How far should clubs embrace there past and what treatment should ex players receive? Free tickets for life if you pulled on the famous Red & White. Should Ali Dia be allowed to sit in the itchen for nothing. Acknowledge it, but don't live in it.
I should say that although I agreed with Chilcosaint, I thought Lawrie was a marvellous manager, who did more for the club, raising its profile, moulding it into a relatively successful and fashionable team, etc... in his capacity and given the unambitious club limitations back then, than anyone before or since, right up to present day. Saints have yet to reach his levels, let's not forget. The thing is, statues and memorials are popped out so randomly these days that achievement becomes a cheaper word. As a Saints manager, Lawrie was the best, in my opinion. As a great servant to the club, and someone who devoted himself totally, in every capacity, there is no other person but Ted Bates. And Lawrie readily acknowledges that to this day. Ted is rightly remembered with a statue. We don't need to erect a welcoming committee in bronze or stone outside St Mary's.
I'm not a fan of statues, so I'm quite happpy that there aren't any at the Rose Bowl. But Robin Smith does a suite named after him, as does Shan Udal. Shane Warne and Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie have stands named after them. The road leading up to the ground is named after Roy and Malcolm Marshall. Peter Sainsbury is a Life President. Barry Reed, amongst others, is a Vice President. Mark Nicolas, Barry Richards, Trevor Jesty, Paul Terry, and many many others, are Honorary members. Rod may not have commissioned any statues, but he's very much for recognising the achievements of ex-players. Personally, I don't mind either way. If club's want to recognise ex-players in various ways, then fine (and in this case, the club really is Rod's baby). But if they don't, then it's not going to bother me. The here and now counts the most.
