Bristol City player John Atyeo's statue unveiled at club

A statue of the most prolific striker in Bristol City's history John Atyeo, has been unveiled in front of hundreds of fans at the Ashton Gate ground.

The life-sized bronze artwork cost £70,000 and was created by Tom Murphy, who also made statues of Bill Shankly and John Lennon in Liverpool.

Atyeo played for City between 1951-1966, making 645 appearances and scoring 351 goals.

City's president Marina Dolman unveiled the statue in front the crowds earlier.

Historian David Woods watched Atyeo for half of his City career.

'Regular scorer'

"He was a good all round player, without looking not necessarily outstanding," he said.

"He was a bit like Tammy Abraham in a way - he would turn up and always pop in a goal so he was a regular scorer."

Mr Atyeo's other achievements also include scoring five goals in six outings for England.

Sculptor Mr Murphy, said: "It's really exciting because in some ways it's the last thing that ever happens to somebody famous, there's not much more to say when a person's career is finished.

"But many years later there is a statue to them and then it brings all the strands of that person's life together, the family, the former players - because John Atyeo represents the greater family of the football club and all its achievements over the years."

The Bristol City Supporters' Trust spent eight years raising money for the statue, with funds coming from a combination of fans, corporate and club donations.

Mr Atyeo took up a career as a maths teacher after becoming part-time player from 1963-64. He died in 1993.

John Atyeo later took up a career as a maths teacher