Sculptor says Pat is 'a living work of art, a superstar - up there with Pele, Best and Cruyff'

​Andy Edwards, a renowned English sculptor with Irish roots, says it was an honour to be entrusted with the Big Pat tribute because he rates the Newry man as standing tall alongside greats of the game Pele, George Best and Johan Cruyff.

Andy spoke to the Reporter from his home in Newcastle-under-Lyme - and ahead of his journey to Newry for the unveiling.

He said: "Pat Jennings is a living work of art of the highest calibre; the way he conducts himself as a gentleman on a world stage and how he represents his community.

"I feel I understand the community of Newry to an extent, because I've come to understand aspects of Pat Jennings.

"That's a great thing that when you've got a role model, someone as iconic as that, to represent a community in countries all over the world.

"That's the reason why I'm immensely proud to be travelling to Newry to oversee the installation and unveil this statue because he's your son and I'm being invited to come and meet his family and community which is a massive, massive honour to someone like me."

Fifty-nine-year-old Andy - a lifelong Stoke City supporter - has been a fan of Pat’s since childhood, first seeing him on football ‘tea cards’ and described as ‘Pat Jennings, born in Newry.’

Then…"I saw Pat play at the Victoria Ground (Stoke's home until 1997).

"I saw him pull the ball out of the air with one hand, such an incredibly unique feat.

"But what I remember more than anything else, amongst the crowds, whatever team he was playing for and whoever they played, everyone had such reverence for Pat.

"Billy Bingham (former NI manager) said he had the air of an Irish chieftain, an ancient Irish chieftain, and that's exactly how he comes over in person and certainly how he conducted himself on the field. He's got that kind of majesty about him, full of grace."

Andy kept in regular contact with Pat as the statue took shape over recent months.

"I was approached by Pat's family and friends to enable a permanent tribute and also a superfan, from the south of England, who was desperate to see a tribute to Pat and contributed as far as adding huge scrapbooks with every possible photo that's probably ever been taken of Pat.

"The fan was a goalkeeper himself, so he was able to advise on kits, boots, all those things, which Pat later confirmed himself when he came over to visit. The process of creating the statue is quite lengthy and the most important part is the research. In my approach to statues, a level of journalistic detail and authenticity is absolutely vital."

Other notable works from Andy Edwards include: A statue of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor (2010) at Pride Park, home of Derby County FC.

All Together Now (2014) commemorating the 1914 Christmas truce of World War 1.

Statue of The Beatles (2015) on the Pier Head, Liverpool.

Statue of the Bee Gees (2021) in Douglas, Isle of Man.

Statue of Bob Marley (2021) in Liverpool.

Statue of Sir Alex Ferguson at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen (2022).