Just a bit of banter- I couldn't resist! I know it was originally meant for harrods. I actually quite liked the idea- it was tacky, inappropriate, random but went against the grain of over cautious PR crazy PL world. Im a southampton fan, we have our own amusing statue story. When our new ground was built a statue of the great Ted Bates was comissioned. A local sculptor was employed and he set to work. Nobody saw the statue until the great unveiling. As the sheet was lifted the crowd recoiled in horror at the grotesque mannequin with only a vague resemblance to Bates, glimmering before us. It was later revealed the artist had never made a statue of a person. Only dogs.
I'm reluctant to stir up the Liverpool fans (and yet... here we go). When we were visiting Mrs Captain's parents in Lancashire over the summer we did the Anfield stadium tour. I never realised that the statue of Shankly ('he made the people happy') was heavily branded with the logo of a well known make of lager. It somehow cheapened the whole thing for me. Now, I know that the Jackson statue made us a laughing stock (and quite right too - it was farcical), but seeing such a blatant attempt to cash-in on one of Liverpool's all time heroes made me appreciate just what a great thing our Johnny Haynes statue is.
When are you going to put up a Le Tissier statue? Although, I'm not sure how much more visually-appealing that would be than our MJ one.
Mr Khan made it clear... It's going!! Woohoo... http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/20/jackson-statue-update?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=AllSocial&utm_campaign=MJstatue
Delighted it's gone yet somehow saddened that I never got to see it in person (being the only FFC fan amongst my family and friends doesn't allow me to get to the Cottage very often). It should be replaced with a statue of Mo because of what he has done for the club and as a mark of respect as we know how much he wanted the Jacko statue to stay.
I think I'm going to be in a minority on this one, but I don't think we should have a statue of Al Fayed. We've been through the arguments before as to whether or not he saved the club (he didn't. He did a massive amount for us, but it was the board during Jimmy Hill's time to turned things round, saved the club's existence and then handed it on without profit to someone who could take things further. Even if Al Fayed had saved the club, I think statues at football clubs should be of players and/or managers, not chairmen. I've nothing against Al Fayed. He's been brilliant for us and despite my early reservations he completely won me around. I just don't think we should put up a statue of him.
Agreed, Captain. If anything, Jimmy Hill should get a statue. Or Bairdinho! And if we want to fill the cash void left by the departure of the MJ statue, we could always try selling Bryan Ruiz bog roll - half of this board would lap that up!
I think statues of great club figures regardless of role is okay actually. Liverpool have Shankley (I think, never actually been to Anfield) and United have both Fergusson & Busby.
I'm in agreement with all of that Captain. Nonetheless there is an expectation that the Eric Miller, sorry the Riverside Stand, when it's re-developed will be re-named in honour of MAF. Note the optimism in the "when" 'cos I truly believe it will happen.
I think you undermine your argument that role doesn't matter by only citing managers here, Fulhaman. You're making my point - every other club only gives this honour to football people (players and managers), not chairmen and administrators. Cottager, I'd have less trouble with a stand named after Al Fayed (or any other chairmen). Somehow a stand seems a lesser honour. I'd prefer it to be named after a player but I'm not holding my breath. There will never be a Jimmy Hill stand, as we can't have two stands named after people with the initials JH, it would be too confusing adminstratively. How about the Simon Morgan stand as a reminder of where we've come from over the last 20 or so years?
Perhaps we should just branch out in a completely different direction start thinking outside the box and ditch all connections with football entirely. How about the Rambling Sid Rumpo stand? Could be at the forefront of a whole new era for stand and stadium naming. Arsenal's Bruce, nice to see you, to see you nice Forsyth stand, Liverpool's Larry Grayson Shut That Door Stand. Can see it happening, I really can.
I'm just waiting for it to happen so I can sneak out one night and paint 'Captain' over the 'Simon' and pretend I've got a stand named after me!
From when this story first broke, I've been intrigued by the Club's statement that "It's not in the Riverside Stand redevelopment plans." Especially since I understand that permitting/planning permission takes years, I wonder, was it ever? Is this new news? Does affect anything?
And he is no more. Consigned to one of MAF's store rooms until he finds another home for it. Look forward to not seeing it when I go to see the Stoke game in a couple of weeks.
