A statue of Northern Irish goalkeeper Pat Jennings has been unveiled in Newry town centre.
The unveiling was hosted by BBC NI sports reporter Stephen Watson and was attended by former Northern Ireland players Billy Hamilton and Gerry Armstrong, as well as former Tottenham player Ledley King.
The group involved in fundraising for the statue, Friends of Big Pat, said Mr Jennings was"looking forward to unveiling his statue in his home city of Newry", despite his recent illness. In 1973, Mr Jennings was named the Football Writers' Associations, footballer of the year, and despite being a goalkeeper managed to score from play in the 1967 FA Charity shield against Manchester United.
He said:"Having said that, I've had an unbelievable career in football from leaving here as a 17-year-old to join Watford I never dreamt that I'd be back 60 years later, over 60 years, unveiling a statue."Students from his former school, St Joseph's Boys' High School in Newry, gave the footballer a guard of honour as he arrived.
Mr Brady said:"As you say when he left Tottenham, he came to Arsenal and I wanted to be here today to tell everybody that he is an Arsenal player as well. Ledley King also spoke at the unveiling and said that since his retirement 12 years ago, he had the opportunity to get to know Mr Jennings personally.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pat Jennings ‘looking forward’ to unveiling his statue in Newry after collapseFormer Northern Ireland goalkeeper underwent tests in hospital in England on Monday
Read more »
Costs of Newry flood damage estimated at £37mBusinesses in Newry are still trying to recover after serious flooding hit the Co Down city last week, according to the President of the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade.
Read more »
Costs of Newry flood damage estimated at £37mBusinesses in Newry are still trying to recover after serious flooding hit the Co Down city last week, according to the President of the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade.
Read more »
Pat Spillane tears into Jonny Sexton's 'Gobbledygook' retirement postThe Kerry football legend believes Sexton's retirement post didn't fit with the image the former Ireland captain had created for himself.
Read more »
Molly Malone statue installed outside Irish pub in US cityUS pub The Dubliner has really committed to the bit and installed a piece of Dublin landscape we are all too familiar with - a Molly Malone statue.
Read more »