Statue honouring West Brom's Three Degrees 'in place for start of next season'

The plan to honour the Albion legends has been hit by delays and Baggies fans have been left questioning when the statue would arrive.

The businessman behind the project said raising the £220,000 needed to make the bronze statue a reality had taken longer than anticipated but said he was hopeful it would be ready in time for next summer.

Signs went up outside The Hawthorns three years ago promising the tribute was on the way. It was originally hoped it would be ready for July 2014.

The statue of three of the club's most iconic players, Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson and Cyrille Regis, who collectively were known as the Three Degrees, is set to be put up near the New Square shopping centre.

Funding has come in from various sources, including Albion supporters.

Several high-profile fundraising events have also been held, including a night hosted by Baggies fan Frank Skinner at Birmingham's town hall.

The £1,600 raised from the sale of Cunningham's England cap was also put towards the cause.

The two surviving members of the Three Degrees have also given their backing the project, with Regis and Batson attending a fundraising dinner in 2015.

Mr Cadman said: "Our ambition is to have it in place for the start of next season.

"We are approaching the final furlong with it. What happens with these things is they plateau before they take off but we are on the finishing straight now.

"The statue is cast. What we have to do is assemble all the parts.

"All our partners are totally behind it and we are working to have it unveiled for next season."