Sir Jack Hayward's Molineux statue delayed, reveal Wolves
The proposed Sir Jack Hayward statue outside Molineux has been delayed until next year.
It was originally hoped a £250,000 sculpture of Wolves' former owner, who died in 2015 aged 91, would be unveiled this summer.
However Wolves said today that due to the 'intricacies of the work' it now won't be in place until possibly the middle of 2018.
Renowned sculptor James Butler is currently working on a final design. The 86-year-old also created the Billy Wright and Stan Cullis statues at Molineux,
Wolves said that once the clay 10ft model had been approved it would be moulded and sent for casting at the foundry, which would take between four and six months.
Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple said: "We thought it was important to make supporters aware that there has been a delay on the unveiling of the statue in tribute to Sir Jack.
"The statue is such an important piece of work which is going to be a lasting legacy to Sir Jack’s immeasurable impact both to Wolves and Wolverhampton, that we have to make sure it is a true representation of the great man.
"Sir Jack’s family have been closely involved with club representatives on the project, and there have been regular visits to the sculptor James Butler who did such a fantastic job with the Billy Wright and Stan Cullis statues.
"James is making good progress with the design and we are all looking forward to the statue being officially unveiled, which now looks like it will take place in the early to middle of next year."
The statue was first mooted by Steve Morgan in May 2015. A fan fundraising campaign called 'a tenner for Sir Jack' was announced the following February but yielded just a few thousand pounds, so Wolves have made up the shortfall.
A special plaque to reflect the contribution of supporters is due to be erected alongside the statue.
Other tributes to Sir Jack include the South Bank being named after him, as well as Sir Jack Hayward Way behind the Stan Cullis Stand.
Paycare chief executive Kevin Rogers chaired a committee of supporters which was set up when the statue plans were announced.
He said: "Having viewed many images of the statue production process, I am very encouraged by the quality of the work undertaken by the sculptor James Butler.
“We are all waiting with great anticipation about what the final version will look like, but I think everyone will agree that it has to be a really fitting tribute to the great Sir Jack.
“His impact to both Wolves and Wolverhampton is something that will never be forgotten and this statue is going to be provide a wonderful reminder of that contribution both to supporters of the club and the people of the city as a whole.”
The club was forced to apologise for any confusion caused by its original announcement for the 'tenner for Sir Jack' campaign with many supporters left outraged, believing they were being asked to fund the entire cost, before Wolves clarified that they would underwrite any shortfall.
