Fred Keenor statue: Target reached for Cardiff City FA Cup skipper tribute

Fans chose a design by artist Roger Andrews

The £85,000 target to erect a statue to the man who led Cardiff City to its 1927 FA Cup win has been reached.

Cardiff City FC and the Football Association of Wales agreed to fund the remaining £14,000 for the tribute to Fred Keenor.

It is hoped the bronze statue will be in place outside Cardiff City Stadium in September.

Fans chose a design by artist Roger Andrews, who produced the Millennium Stadium's Sir Tasker Watkins statue.

Cardiff City Supporters' Trust and appeal spokesperson Phillip Nifield said: "It is just over two years since we officially launched the appeal and, providing there are no hiccups, the statue should be in a position to be erected in September.

"The statue is almost ready to go to the foundry and we're sure football supporters will welcome the finished image.

"It will be a great landmark outside the Cardiff City Stadium."

Somme

Besides supporter donations and cash raised through fundraising events, Cardiff council provided £15,000 and the Welsh government contributed £5,000.

Keenor had been wounded at the Somme in World War I but eventually returned to Cardiff City.

The tough-tackling Cardiff-born defender led City to FA Cup victory at Wembley Stadium in 1927 after the Bluebirds beat Arsenal 1-0 to become the only team outside of England to win the trophy.

In 2010, the approach to Cardiff City Stadium was named Ffordd Fred Keenor.

Fred Keenor (R) shakes hands with the Arsenal captain before the Bluebirds win the FA Cup at Wembley in 1927