Footballer's statue moved to new location at stadium

John Ritchie scored 176 goals in 351 games for the club

A statue of a Stoke City legend has been moved to a new location following requests from fans and his family.

The statue of the club's all-time top goalscorer John Richie would "stand proudly" outside the Bet365 stadium’s Franklyn Stand, a club spokesperson said.

The monument, which also depicts a miniature figure of Ritchie celebrating after scoring a goal, celebrates the former centre-forward, who scored 176 goals in 351 games for the club.

It was previously installed behind the stadium's Boothen End in 2008.

The statue was moved on Saturday ahead of the club's Championship clash with West Brom

The council had raised concerns regarding the position and upkeep of the statue at Boothen End, after reports it was frequently surrounded by litter and cigarette butts.

The club agreed to a relocation, with many supporters having asked whether it could be placed in a more prominent location.

Ritchie first joined Stoke City FC in 1962, scoring 81 goals in 135 appearances.

Following three seasons with Sheffield Wednesday, he returned to The Potteries for a second spell in 1969, before his career was cut short in 1974 due to injury.

He died in 2007 at the age of 65, following complications arising from Alzheimer's disease.

Club chief operating officer, Simon King, said it was a pleasure to have found a "wonderful new home" for the statue at the stadium.

“Supporters and members of John’s family have voiced their desire to see the tribute relocated to a more prominent location and that’s exactly what we’ve now been able to do," he explained.

“The move will lead to the tribute being observed by more people, something that will see John’s story and achievements shared with future generations for years to come."

A ceremony to unveil the statue, alongside Ritchie's family and some of his former teammates, took place at 13:00 BST on Saturday, before the club's match against West Bromwich Albion.