Unreal really. I concur, it’s really great to see.

They are both really good friends, along with Geoff Oakes.
Get them all talking about the old days and it is pure gold.

Went to the Red Shed on Big Neil's 80th birthday celebration where he gave an excellent question and answers session. As I recall there were many of the 1979 Wembley side there as well, including Juliffe, Diamond, Lampkowski, Sheard and, of course, Brookey. Strange how you maintain in your mind how they looked at the time, then when you see them now it comes as a shock; Big Neil excluded of course.

Who says the Victoria statue is an outdated eyesore.

There you go again assuming your world view is the only one.

We can have both. It might amaze you but more people in Wakefield know who Queen Victoria was than Neil Fox.

It’s not just about ourselves. I’d be hugely annoyed if an important statue of an important monarch representing this countries finest era was removed.

Likewise I’d love to also see a statue of Neil Fox. As I say you can have both, not everything is political.

It defeats the whole object now as its like trying to explain why you asked someone to be quiet when you are trying to listen to something urgent.

But the point was, this was a thread about a much loved player/man and giving people a space to say happy birthday and say nice things about him.
You took it off track wanting to argue about the location of a statue and the merits of a different one.
If you want to talk about that, just open another thread. Leaving this one to stay on track for a change.
I thought it was a small thing to ask but I guess I expected too much.

I didn't take it off track actually, Redcat did, I'm just responding. You're being a bit precious on this one PT.

I'd love a statue of Neil, I'd want to keep QV, hell I'd even settle for a statue of Keir Hardie, though I draw the line at Arthur Scargill!



It's just a bit of harmless debate, I'm sure Neil wouldn't be offended.

To the new vasty and PT partnership.

If I may say so:

a} I didn't try to deflect anything from the Neil Fox thread.I wanted to fully engage with it. He's my hero.
b) I fully appreciate that Queen Victoria was a very influential person whether you like her or not and I personally prefer the Regency period to the Victorian era, vasty.
c ) I did NOT say get rid of the statue of Queen Victoria. I said RELOCATE it back to Thornes Park where it was situated for many years
d) I personally think it is an eyesore, vasty, my own PERSONAL opinion and that is the one that matters to me.
Thankyou

Now may we get back to Neil Fox please.

Looks like any other statue to me. You're sort of missing the point, it's not about who's what it's about the reasoning. Neil Fox is a hero to all Trinity fans I agree. However, 3,000 for the Hudds game suggests we make up about 1% of the population if that. I'm not convinced you'd get much support for moving a well-known person from history and replacing it with a statue of someone who is now barely known to anyone under the age of fifty or a Trinity fan.

For me, the only place for it is outside BV where it would have some real context. The new stand with the new car park is an ideal opportunity.

If Wakefield were still an RL town I'd be right with you but for now, I don't think it is.

Anyway, it was worth discussing.

If you want to start a fund it page I'm on it

That bit I agree with. If a statue was ever going to be done it should be at Belle Vue. The place where he is most famous.

Same as Billy Bremner at Elland Road and Kieren Cunningham at St Helens Ground.
Man City have a good one if their heroes.
I'm thinking John Holmes is at Headingley.

I think it should be BV - to me that's his home (If Wembley don't recognise him we should!)
I'd be prepared to make a donation - but is there an experienced fundraiser willing to take this on?

I would willingly contribute to a Neil Fox statue wherever it is in Wakefield, but I lack such organizational skills, I'm Afraid. I know of one person who posts on here from time to time and, indeed, has carried out extra curricular tasks on behalf of Wakefield Trinity previously.............How busy are you, vasty?

To busy I’m afraid. Also I’m to young, Fox is a legend to me but I never saw him play so I have no real emotions.

I’d contribute but in truth this one is for you older fans to sort it. He’s your hero, mines Nigel Bell.

Just a thought but what about a freeze (if that’s how it’s spelt). Hey say a dozen legends on it and then you may get some fund raising traction, maybe even a doner.

Over to you oldies

His real hero is Jonty Parkin.

but sadly if the Shudds game is anything to go by very few people would see the statue. I would go for the city centre location. He's a Freeman of Wakefield, nof Belle Vue and from a civic pride point of view a central siting would be better.

Daft as it sounds, if every one had contributed £1 at the Huddersfield game we would have had £3166 towards a statue.

That pound is for signing Nigel Wright.

Crikey!! I'd forgotten that!

How much was raised, can you remember ? Wish we had him now.

I think I read somewhere that the John Holmes statue at Headingley cost around £100k and going further back Freddie Trueman's and Dickie Bird's being slightly less as they were a few years back.

Wouldn't be much good, too old I'm afraid nowadays.

He looks fit enough to play.
Gifted is the only word to describe him.

And as for the £1, they never reduced it so we are still paying now. And he's still worth it.

In that case I think we can forget it, Wollo. The Dickie Bird statue in Barnsley by Grahame Ibbeson cost £60,000 in 2008, so the £100,000 for Homes seems could be correct.

Just searched a bit and found info that the Freddie Trueman statue, again by Ibbotson, cost £90k. Appeal began in 2007 and statue erected in 2010.

Guess I haven't kept quite up-to-date with the cost of sculptures.

As I say, I think we can forget it. The people of Wakefield would not be interested generally; The Council will reckon that they've contributed enough to WT already and Mr Carter is down to his last £15.000,000

Looks like it's a job for Sir Rodney then?

There was a minute when I thought the same, but in light of what has happened over the last few years I think WT and RMW should keep a reasonable distance, but there again if he REALLY WANTS to pay for a statue of Neil. Knowing Rodney he would be more likely to finance a statue of himself though.