Town Centre location for statue of Coleraine’s Munich hero Harry Gregg

81-year-old Gregg is very proud of his Coleraine roots, he was born and raised just a stones throw from Coleraine Showgrounds, and still lives in the Borough today.

The statue proposal was put forward last May, by Harry’s close friend, and local football pundit Liam Beckett.

Beckett felt that it was ‘only right’ that the man who went back into the Munich crash to save others should be bronzed in his home town.

Liam’s proposal has now been rubber stamped by Coleraine Borough Council.

At a meeting last Tuesday night, members agreed on a location for the statue - the Diamond in Coleraine, opposite the First Trust Bank. Council also agreed to support the project in kind.

Speaking after the meeting, Liam told Times Sport: “Harry is not just a local star, he is a world star, and he’s still with us.

“He’s done enough in his career to warrant a statue in his home town, a place he is very proud of. If he was in England this would have been done a long time ago.”

Liam has already been in contact with sculptor David Annand, who produced the Dunlop sculptures in Ballymoney.

“Preparatory work has been going on in the background, but now we can get down to business,” said Liam. “We’ve a figure of £40,000 in mind, so we’re already getting to work on fundraisers.”

The first fundraiser will take place at the Galgorm Resort Golf Club on Thursday, April 15. “Joel Taggart and Raymond Kennedy are on board with me for this, the first of the fundraisers. It will be £40 per head, so I hope that golfers will get a four-ball together and come along. The £40 will include a breakfast and a meal after the golf.”

Liam is also on the look out for hole sponsors at a cost of £100 - if you are a local business and would like to help contact Liam.

The former Northern Ireland and Manchester footballer Keith Gillespie is also on board: “Keith is really keen to get on board. We are hoping to set up a legends game, maybe between a Manchester United Legends team and a Northern Ireland Legends side. We have lots of ideas, but it’s good to get the ball rolling and get the fundraising started,” told Liam.