Date Set For Sir Jack Statue Unveiling

Wolves will unveil the much anticipated sculpture of Sir Jack Hayward at Molineux on Thursday, 14th June.

The date of the unveiling has been chosen for its significance as Sir Jack’s date of birth, and the event will see friends, family, fans and admirers of Sir Jack brought together on what would have been his 95th birthday.

Funded in part by supporters’ direct contributions, gate receipts from a 2016 friendly, and primarily by the club, the 10ft bronze sculpture depicts Sir Jack on arguably his proudest of days, the 2003 play-off final win at the Millennium Stadium.

The statue has been in production for over 24 months, and is sculpted by world renowned artist James Butler, who also created the existing Billy Wright and Stan Cullis statues that adorn Molinuex.

Sir Jack dealt directly with Butler during the commission of the other statues, and the Hayward family have been working closely with the artist throughout the project’s evolution.

The location of the statue has been agreed by the Hayward family, football club and the City of Wolverhampton Council, and will see Sir Jack stand proudly between the Steve Bull Stand and the South Bank that bears his name.

At the wishes of the Hayward family, the statue of Sir Jack will also be set on a low plinth so as to be most accessible for the supporters and citizens of Wolverhampton that made him so proud.

Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple said, “I am absolutely thrilled that we are now less than a month away from the unveiling of what will be a fitting tribute to a man who meant so much to so many people.

“Sir Jack touched the lives of everyone he met, and a lot of those that he never met, and for everything he did for Wolverhampton Wanderers and the city of Wolverhampton, this statue will act as a permanent tribute and sign of our gratitude.

“We will be joined on the day by some of those that benefitted from Sir Jack’s legacy, and I am truly delighted that we are doing this during a period of great success and optimism at the club he loved and served so well.

“What has been achieved on the pitch this season would have made Sir Jack very proud, and from next season onwards he will have a physical and permanent presence at Molinuex, in his new position aside his spiritual home.”

Son of Sir Jack, Jonathan Hayward, said: “Dad would have been very humbled to be in the exalted company of Billy Wright and Stan Cullis.

“He will have the city of Wolverhampton to one side, and Molineux to the other, both of which were so important and so special to him. He is truly one of our own.”

The unveiling, which will follow the release of Wolves’ 2018/19 Premier League fixture list scheduled for the same day, will be open to the general public. Further details of the day will follow on wolves.co.uk.

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