Wolves Sir Jack Hayward statue to be unveiled next month
A statue of Sir Jack Hayward will be unveiled outside Molineux next month, Wolves have announced.
Family and friends of Sir Jack, who died in 2015, have been invited to the unveiling on Thursday June 14 – what would have been his 95th birthday.
The 10ft statue has been two years in the making and was initially due to be in place last summer. It depicts Sir Jack on the day of the 2003 play-off final win over Sheffield United at the Millennium Stadium.
It will be the third statue at Molineux, joining Billy Wright and Stan Cullis. Renowned sculptor James Butler created those and he has also worked on this project, liaising closely with Sir Jack's family.
It will be positioned near the subway entrance at the top of Molineux street, close to the stand that bears his name.
The project initially caused controversy when it was announced, with fans encouraged to help fund the £250,000 statue. Barely anything was raised and the club has made up the shortfall.
Sir Jack gave millions to Wolves and owned the club for more than 15 years before selling it to Steve Morgan.
His son Jonathan, one-time Wolves chairman, 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.”
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 supporters.
Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple added: "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. 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.”
The unveiling ceremony will be open to the public with times and further details to be announced soon.
