A campaign to honour the late footballer Billy Bremner has stepped up a gear, after organisers launched a project to commission a statue in the player’s Stirling home town.
The Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA), in partnership with Leeds United Supporters Groups, Raploch Community Council, the University of Stirling, Stirling Community Enterprise, Tartan Army Magazine and Stirling Council, are now in the process of selecting an artist to create the tribute in honour of Bremner.
The late Scottish professional footballer and manager is regarded as one of the game's greatest midfielders. Born in the Raploch, Billy Bremner kicked off his professional playing career with Leeds United, where he went on to captain the team and was also at the forefront of the Scotland football team in the 1970s. Bremner is honoured by a commemorative statue outside the South East corner of Leeds United’s Elland Road.
Three renowned artists, David Annand, Malcolm Robertson and Kenny Hunter have been shortlisted to create the Scottish statue. It’s hoped it can be positioned near to where Bremner grew up on Weir Street.
The campaign was started by Leeds United Supporters Groups who approached Raploch Community Council. Following their approval, Professor Richard Haynes of the University of Stirling was brought on board and created the campaign and video “Fae Raploch to Elland Road” which details Billy Bremner’s journey from growing up with his adoptive parents, his early football career, through to becoming part of Leeds United folklore.
Eddie Gray, a former teammate of Billy Bremner, and Liam Cooper, current Leeds United captain and Scotland international, have signed two replica 1974 shirts to support the campaign. One shirt will be put on display beside the statue while the other will be auctioned off. Other Scotland internationals, including Joe Jordan, have already agreed to sign shirts and help the campaign.
Alexander Gibb, project manager said: “Leeds and Stirling are two great cities in which Billy Bremner is revered. While he has been immortalised in Leeds, it is about time Bremner is further recognised north of the border in his home town. It is an honour to be part of the project commemorating the man voted as ‘Scotland’s Greatest Ever Captain."
Professor Richard Haynes is supporting the campaign
Professor Richard Haynes of the University of Stirling’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities said: “We were very proud to work with the local community on the cultural heritage project about Bremner.
“We are delighted to be working with the SFSA and other partners to take the development of a memorial of Bremner in his hometown to the next stage. It is an honour that is more than rightful for a man of Billy Bremner’s stature.”
The Scottish Football Supporter’s Association was founded in 2015 by Paul Goodwin and Simon Barrow and has more than 80,000 members.
Find out more about the campaign and donate, via the SFSA website.