....spare a thought for Southampton fans who after waiting two years for a statue to be unveiled of their 'Mr Southampton, Ted Bates'. Plus, having raised half of the fee themselves they went along en masse to the ceremony where they were presented with something that resembles Milan Mandaric's head on an Oompa Loompa. If you get a chance, read this thread - one of the funniest in a long time, http://www.thesaintsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=12359&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 Finally, if we ever decide to commission a statue of GT, please look out for this sculptors name so we can do something about it early. I don't fancy walking past David Pleats face on Peter Crouch's body every week.
He's got a truely deformed hand as well. Look at the way the one holding the ball curves around it, unless he was severely double jointed!
I've family in Southampton it's all over the papers and seems to be the only talking point in most pubs. It is truly awful. It reminds me of when a Blue Peter price winner of "design a ....Christmas card, a bady for Dr who or a statue for Southampton football club" and the winner will have their design made for real. or did a local infant school make it out of old washing up bottles sticky back plastic and toilet roll holders?
It appears to have depreciated a bit in 48 hours http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Milan-Mandari...oryZ1212QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Thank god the sculptor didn't have to do a statue of Matt le Tisier and made him even uglier than real life.
Le Tissier just had an FlyBe airplane named after him, with an image of him on the side, but it was missing the kebad and pint that he is now famous for. I suppose if Cavalli became a legend for us, the statue would look pretty similar but that is a shocking portrait of one of their legends. It would be nice for Watford to perhaps look at doing something like this for one of our legends once the stadium devlopment is done. I would suggest Callaghan but it would be too expensive as a lot of bronze would have to be sculptured for his physique!
That would be the problem then, not enough money to do all the legs. Perhaps the pedestal is meant to be higher. If it was going to be viewed from below, the legs would need to be foreshortened.
Daily Echo News Crisis talks pledge over Ted Bates statue By Simon Walter SAINTS officials have pledged to hold crisis talks with the Ted Bates Trust after hundreds of supporters condemned the £112,000 statue of the club stalwart. Since being unveiled outside St Mary's on Saturday night, scores of fans have flooded the Daily Echo website saying the 16ft statue is out of proportion and does not bear a strong enough resemblance to Bates, who gave the club 66 years of unbroken service. Critics have likened the statue to 80s TV entertainer Jimmy Krankie, US president George Bush and even former Pompey owner Milan Mandaric. Representatives of the Ted Bates Trust, which commissioned the project, gave up countless hours to raise money towards the statue, which was sculpted by Saints fan Ian Brennan. The final £10,000 was raised at an unveiling dinner on Saturday night attended by more than 450 guests and 30 former players. After approaching Saints for help the club have agreed to meet with the Trust in the near future to see how the problem can be resolved. Mr Brennan, who spent 18 months sculpting the statue before it was completed at the Bronze Age Sculpture Casting Foundry in London, said: "This was more than a commission, it was a passion. I am a Saints fan through and through and I am very sorry a number of supporters do not like the end result and I would be very happy to work with the Trust and club to resolve any issues." advertisement Speaking on behalf of the Bates family, Ted's daughter Jackie said: "Dad's statue represents an artists impression of Ted. It was commissioned by the Trust with the club's support and if they feel it needs to be removed for further work, then we are perfectly happy for this to happen." Mary Bates, the widow of the man known as Mr Southampton, unveiled the £112,000 statue on Saturday night in front of other family members, former players, club officials and fans. Dave Ford, chairman of the Ted Bates Trust, which commissioned the project and shared the cost with the club, said: "Ian has done a tremendous job. It's very rare I'm lost for words but I saw the statue last week and it's awesome - a tremendous tribute to a great man. "Fans have waited a long time for this and it's fantastic." Ted Bates served Southampton FC for 66 years in several guises before his death in November 2003, at the age of 85. He signed for the club as a teenage striker 60 years ago and formed a prolific partnership with Charlie Wayman before becoming a coach when his playing career ended in 1952. Ted managed the club for 18 years before handing the reins to Lawrie McMenemy in 1973, but spent a further 20 years as a club director before stepping down in 1993. In 1998, he received an MBE in recognition of his services to football and was made club president before being made a Freeman of the City of Southampton a year later.
it's a bloody shame actually. the statue is frankly awful. bad I know but I couldn't help but laugh at the comical look of it when I saw the pics. as for that horrific wasp in the lower high street in watford...
I'm happy to report that I've negotiated a swap deal between Watford Borough Council and Thearseendofenglandbeforetheisleofwight Borough Council. With a little bit of tweaking, we're getting this to replace the wasp. Plus I think he's got a nastier sting in his tail
This has just been on bbc new 24 but had no sound on tv looks like an interview with the sculptor, he didn't have dark glasses or a labrador so it may not of been him
