Braco statue commemorates football founder William McGregor

Dec 4 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A STATUE commemorating the work of a Perthshire football fanatic, who went on to become one of the founding fathers of the modern game, has been unveiled.

Braco-born William McGregor worked as an apprentice draper in Perth before moving to the Midlands and playing a key role in the formation of Aston Villa Football Club in 1874 – as well as the wider league structure, which kicked off in 1888.

The long-running campaign to acknowledge McGregor’s contribution was initiated by the Birmingham-based club’s supporters’ trust.

Trust chairman Peter Warrilow said the idea was formulated in 2002 as a way to celebrate the club’s heritage.

Mr Warrilow said: “In the end it was a unanimous decision to nominate McGregor, because he was the man who had the biggest worldwide influence on football.

“It was his idea that, rather than playing friendly games which had a tendency to get cancelled, people should play in a league which made clubs commit to playing matches.

“His founding role is one of those things that got lost over time.

“It should have been done a long, long, time ago,” he said.

Created by sculptor Samantha Holland, the bronze tribute sits outside the directors’ entrance to Villa Park’s Trinity Road stand.

It was officially unveiled by Lord Brian Mawhinney – current chairman of the Football League – prior to Villa’s Premiership clash with Tottenham on Saturday.

The structure, which stands in excess of seven-feet high, took six months to design and six months to be cast in a foundry.