Sheffield United announced this afternoon (7th March) that the club has committed to commission a statue in the memory of soccer legend Derek Dooley.
It will be the Blades' lasting tribute to the former chairman of the football club board who was one of the key figures of the club in modern times.
Mr Dooley, MBE, died earlier this week aged 78.
The club plan to erect the statue in a special area to the rear of the Valad South Stand on the Cherry Street side of the Bramall Lane stadium. Expected to be unveiled in the Autumn, it will stand alongside already commissioned statues of two other United legends - players Joe Shaw and Jimmy Hagan.
United have already announced that the club's soon to be opened new Junior Academy at Crookes will be named "Derek Dooley Community Centre".
PLC Chairman Kevin McCabe said: "Sheffield United are acting with respect and regard to Derek's family. I have spoken with Derek's widow, Sylvia, listened to the fans and spoken with senior management at the club about how we can appropriately honour Derek's remarkable contribution to Sheffield United and football in general.
"Derek was a gentleman of the game bringing fans together whatever their colours. The statue will be a permanent reminder to our family of fans, the city of Sheffield and the sport of football as a whole of the place Derek holds in our hearts," added Mr McCabe.
Initially taken on by United as Commercial Manger after leaving Sheffield Wednesday where he was a player and manager, Derek took on a variety of posts including Managing Director.
In 2003 he was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List and an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University. He was a freeman of the City of Sheffield. As the Blades celebrated at Bramall Lane their return to the Premier League in April 2006, Derek emotionally told supporters of his plans to step down as chairman and take-up the post of vice-president.
A funeral service for Derek will be held next Friday, 14th March at Sheffield Cathedral in Church Street. Scores of people from the world of football are expected to attend alongside key figures from both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, dignitaries from the city and hundreds wanting to pay their personal tribute.
