Coventry City Football Club have launched an appeal, headed by Joe Elliott, to raise £150,000 to commission and install a statue of Jimmy Hill, one of the true legends of not only Coventry City, but of football in general.
The statue of Hill will be placed outside the main entrance of The Ricoh Arena and the plan already has the backing of Coventry City, the Ricoh Arena and Arena Coventry Limited, Covsupport News Service, the Coventry Telegraph, with The Professional Footballers' Association has been in contact to offer its support.
The word famous and highly regarded artist Nicholas Dimbleby will be commissioned to sculpture the statue of Jimmy Hill.
Coventry City director Joe Elliott said of Jimmy Hill and the project, "What Jimmy Hill achieved for both Coventry City and the game of football cannot be overstated.Jimmy is a man held in extremely high esteem by supporters, and he is a man of the people, so it is a fitting tribute that a statue to celebrate his achievements should be commissioned by the fans."
It only seems like yesterday that Jimmy was leading a chorus of the Sky Blues song on the pitch before the last game at Highfield Road and the first game at the Ricoh Arena."
"Jimmy was responsible, not only for shaping Coventry City into the club it is today on and off the pitch, but also changing the face of football.This statue would be a fitting tribute to a great man and one of the most important figures in the history of Coventry City so I am appealing for everyone to support this project."
Jimmy Hill is the manager who introduced the famous Sky Blue kit now worn by the team. He led the team to promotion from the old third division to the second division and then in the 1966/7 season to the promised land of the First Division, now known as The Premiership.
Hill was also one of those responsible for abolishing the maximum wage for players, for bringing in shirt sponsorship, much to the chagrin of the BBC at the time who refused to televise games in which Coventry City wore their sponsored shirts.
Jimmy also promoted the club as a family club, turning Highfield Road into the first all seater stadium in the country and for the introduction of the current world wide system of three points for a win.
Hill has been a player, manager, coach, union official, match official, chairman, television pundit and presenter and a television executive. He is truly on of those characters who has left a permanent mark on world football.
The appeal, which is a supporter iniative, is being supported by The Coventry City Diamond Club, The Coventry City Former Players Association, Sky Blue International, Covsupport News Service. George Curtis and John Sillett, Coventry City FC, Fulham FC, Coventry Telegraph, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and the BBC as well as the Professional Footballers Association, The Football League and other sporting bodies and local businesses.
The Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal is being supported by Coventry Building Society and anyone wishing to make a donation to the appeal can do so at any of the company's branches. Any donation will be gratefully received but for those wishing to contribute more there are special incentives available.
A donation of £5,000 will see the contributor's name inscribed on the statue plinth, while for a maximum of six people, a £12,000 contribution will see an inscription on the plinth plus a miniature bronze statue issued to the donor.Those wishing to donate £12,000 or more will also have the chance to meet Jimmy Hill, subject to health, during a special lunch at the game on Saturday, July 31st.
Donations are accepted by cash or cheque at any Coventry Building Society Branch and by cheques made out to the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal and posted to Godiva House, Binley Business Park, Coventry. CV3 2TQ.
Online bank transfers can also be made to the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal using account number 44715278 and sort code 40-63-01.
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