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From Legends to Landmarks: 10 Iconic Football Statues Worldwide (And How Stoke-on-Trent Stands Tall)

27/10/2024 Raymond 0

A new statue of John Rudge, posed in his familiar “Dickie Bird” stance, was unveiled at Vale Park this week, honoring his legacy in football. Known for his 14-year tenure as Stoke City’s director of football, Rudge remains beloved at Port Vale, where he managed for nearly two decades. The tribute, crafted by local sculptor Mike Talbot, has already drawn hundreds of fans to the Hamil Road stand, with many more expected to pay homage to this cherished figure in the years to come.

This statue joins other notable football monuments in the city, such as the iconic 9-foot Sir Stanley Matthews memorial at Stoke’s bet365 Stadium, which celebrates Matthews’ transformation from local talent to global legend.

Confirmed: Stoke-on-Trent lands new £20m levelling up boost

25/05/2024 Raymond 0

Burslem Indoor Market and Chatterley Whitfield are set to receive significant enhancements through Stoke-on-Trent’s share of the £20 million Levelling Up Partnership funding. Nearly £6.5 million will be allocated for the renovation of historic buildings, while £2.5 million is dedicated to enhancing recreational facilities, including the creation of a new ‘wellbeing campus’ in Burslem in collaboration with Port Vale.

The restoration of the Grade II-listed Burslem Indoor Market aims to rejuvenate this deteriorating landmark, and a ‘green growth strategy’ will benefit Chatterley Whitfield, another at-risk heritage site. Additionally, the programme will focus on revitalizing town centres and addressing anti-social behavior, alongside the development of a new Green Skills centre at Stoke-on-Trent College’s Burslem campus. These initiatives will complement the broader corporate strategy to improve the city’s overall wellbeing.