Back where he belongs ... memorial to Rams’ FA Cup hero Reg will be at the heart of grassroots football
PLANS have been submitted to build a memorial to Derby County legend Reg Harrison.
Reg was in the Rams’ 1946 FA Cupwinning side and scored 59 goals in 281 appearances for Derby between 1945 and 1954.
The winger, who was well known for his work in youth football in the city after he retired, died at the age of 97 in September, last year.
Mr Harrison had been awarded the freedom of the city in 2019, and was laid to rest following a service at Derby Cathedral after his death.
A fundraising campaign was launched by the Rams Heritage Trust to fund the creation of a bust of him in his memory and the £8,000 target was hit in a matter of weeks after donations from the public, as well as people linked to the club such as Frank Lampard, Mason Mount and Rory Delap.
Now a planning application has been submitted for the installation of the bust at the entrance to Field Lane FC, in Alvaston, a club he founded in 1982.
In the plans, submitted by Hodgkinson Builders, a company run by Rams fan Ian Hodgkinson, it says a bust of Mr Harrison and the plinth it will stand on will be a fitting tribute to the man who was Derby-born and bred.
A message from the Rams Heritage Trust in the documents reads: “In October 2020 Rams Heritage Trust, in partnership with Field Lane Football Club, started a crowdfunding campaign to create a lasting tribute to Reginald ‘Reg’ Harrison in the wake of his unfortunate passing that September.
“With phenomenal interest and donations from the local community and high-profile football personalities – including Frank Lampard, Mason Mount and Rory Delap – the fundraising target was reached in just four weeks.
“The bust will form part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Rams’ 1946 FA Cup win.
“Reg rose to fame playing for his local club, Derby County, helping them to win the FA Cup for the first and only time in 1946.”
The bust would be constructed by sculptor Andy Edwards, who previously worked on the bust of Steve Bloomer inside Pride Park, and the Dave Mackay and Brian Clough and Peter Taylor statues.
It added it would be a way to remember not only his footballing achievements, but what he did for the community. “Importantly, however, he is remembered not only as a prolific footballer, but also as a stalwart of the grassroots game,” it said. “The bust’s location at Field Lane was specifically chosen to recognise Reg’s role in the team at Derby City Council’s Youth Services which helped to establish Field Lane Football Club, among others in the city, in the 1980s.
“The club’s resilience over recent decades has led to popular citywide football tournaments held at Field Lane each year. “With the annual influx of teams to Field Lane it is hoped that many patrons and participants of the grassroots game will engage with the monument and acknowledge Reg’s legacy and pioneering role in Derby football.” The full application can be seen on the Derby City Council planning portal under the reference 21/00459/FUL.
He is remembered not only as a prolific footballer, but also as a stalwart of the grassroots game.
Rams Heritage Trust