AN EVENING celebrating a statue dedicated to West Bromwich Albion’s legendary ‘Three Degrees’ will be held in the Stourbridge pub where the campaign started.

Sculptor Graham Ibbeson is currently working on the final phase of the 10 foot high bronze piece which shows Baggies’ barrier-breaking stars Laurie Cunningham, Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson celebrating a goal in 1979.

The campaign for the Celebration Statue started more than five years ago at the Britannia Sports Bar in Wollaston when Stourbridge businessman Jim Cadman hosted a Three Degrees tribute night there with special guest Cyrille Regis.

Mr Cadman created the concept of the statue with Mr Ibbeson and will return to the Britannia on September 11 for an event to mark the completion of the fundraising for the project.

Sadly, Brendan is the only surviving member of the trio following 59-year-old Cyrille’s untimely death in January this year. Laurie died aged just 33 in 1989.

But the statue is about more than just one goal as the trio were hailed for the ground-breaking influence they had in overcoming racist taunts at football grounds.

They responded to this prejudice in style by playing attractive football, scoring goals and winning games.

The statue will be unveiled in the New Square, in West Bromwich in March 2019.

Mr Cadman said “We promised Ted Etheridge at the Britannia Sports Bar that we would return to Wollaston to mark the completion of the fundraising – and although we did not think it would take six years - we will return to the Britannia with Albion legends Graham Williams and Tony Brown for a special ‘Three Degrees Tribute Night’.

“During the evening will be showing film footage of Cyrille Regis , Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson in action for West Bromwich Albion and of Cyrille as he toured the studio of sculptor Graham Ibbeson during the time the Celebration Statue was taking shape in its clay form.”

Mr Etheridge added: “It is a great honour for the Britannia Sports Bar to have been so closely involved in the Celebration Statue project.

“Everyone will be welcome to join us on Tuesday, September 11 starting at 7.30pm when admission will be free.”

The total cost of the Celebration Statue will be £220,000 and it has been funded by a series of events, donations and sponsorship projects supported by the Professional Footballers Association, Sandwell Council, The Football Association, The League Managers Association, Kick It Out, the 1979 Club, the West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club, WBA Former Players Association, businesses throughout the Black Country and dedicated fans of West Bromwich Albion.